Ludhiana: A major investigation into an international syndicate of betting on IPL (Indian Premier League) cricket matches has taken a dramatic turn after two suspects tested positive for narcotics, prompting police to add drug charges to the mounting case. Were the arrested racketeers using illicit betting wins to fund their own drug dependencies? The Khanna police cybercrime cell had ordered dope tests for the four local men arrested 10 days ago — Dinesh Chhabra, Karan Chhabra, Mahendra Singh, and Naresh Kumar — after observing suspicious behaviour during their remand. Results have confirmed Dinesh Chhabra and Mahendra Singh to be “hooked” on drugs, claims senior superintendent of police Darpan Ahluwalia.The discovery has shifted the investigation’s focus toward a potential “betting-for-drugs” pipeline. Investigators are now tracing the source of the narcotics and determining if illicit gambling profits were laundered to fund drug peddling. Meanwhile, police authorities have issued a lookout circular (LOC) for the alleged mastermind, Rajiv “Raju Sattewala” Anand. A notorious bookie with more than 15 prior cases — including a conviction under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act — Anand is believed to be operating the racket from Dubai.While ₹42 lakh of the alleged betting money has already been traced to the suspects’ bank accounts, officials believe the true scale of the operation will only be revealed once Anand is extradited.The Money TrailPolice are tightening the financial noose around the IPL betting syndicate as the investigation expands into organised crime. More than ₹42 lakh found in the suspects’ bank accounts has been frozen pending further inquiry. Officers have confiscated ₹44,000 in cash, 11 mobile phones, and a laptop used for coordinating bets. Police are likely to involve the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to map the “forward and backward linkages” of the betting money and identify offshore destinations.
