TEAM HERALD
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CALANGUTE: Goa may not have had much presence in the recently concluded IPL but it has figured prominently in “cricketing stakes” off the pitch, with Calangute Police arresting six bookies in an alleged IPL betting syndicate in Candolim.
The arrest of six bookies at Orda-Candolim has sent shock waves in Candolim, as residents in the neighbourhood were caught unawares over developments in ‘The Mangrove Villa’, which is situated on the banks of the river and surrounded by mangroves.
Sources informed that though the six bookies were arrested a little after 11 pm on Sunday, the residents in the neighbourhood were unaware about the incident even during the day.
Neighbours became suspicious and grew concerned following frequent trips by Goa Police vehicles to and from the villa. The presence of media persons at the site led the people to believe that something unusual was happening in ‘The Mangrove Villa’ at Orda.
Briefing media persons, Calangute PI Nilesh Rane said: “Reliable sources informed us that IPL match fixing or betting was taking place at ‘The Mangrove Villa’ at Orda. After obtaining search warrants from the SDPO North, we raided the premises at 10.30 pm,” he informed.
“The bookies were found accepting bets on mobile phones through their sub-agents and were operating with laptops for spot-fixing. Our Calangute Police team conducted thorough investigations and we obtained a five-day remand for the six bookies for further investigation,” added PI Rane.
When Calangute MLA Michael Lobo visited the adjacent site on an alleged filling of a water body and construction of a road, he was confronted by the waiting reporters outside the villa.
Speaking to reporters, Lobo said he was surprised with the IPL betting racket at Orda-Candolim.
“Everything seems to be happening in my constituency, either good or bad. The IPL betting racket should be handed over to CBI for a thorough investigation,” he said.
