MARGAO: One of the biggest cricket extravaganzas, albeit an annual one, the Indian Premier League (IPL-8), began on Wednesday. Two matches have already been played – and most importantly city-based bookies have once again got back in business. Though this is a country-wide phenomenon, given the tremendous money in the IPL and past history in Goa, the state is definitely very much part of the betting network.
However, the state police seem to be ignorant, either by design or are playing their cards close to their chest, and claim to have no knowledge about the operations of bookies who operate from the Panjim, Mapusa, Mormugao and Margao. Sources say that during the one-and-half-month-long tournament the betting transactions are likely to be to the tune of hundreds of crores of ruppes.
“There is no team or local intelligence personnel who keep track or watch on IPL bookies and betting. So far there are no complaints that we have received. We will act immediately and raids will be conducted if any complaint reaches us,” Shekhar Prabhudesai, superintendent of police South Goa said.
Herald investigations reveal that bookies are all settled in their areas and operations are in full swing. The entire nexus is allegedly controlled by one Paresh Goa from Mumbai and under him there are a few bookies who control their respective areas. Everything is handled smoothly taking the advantage of technology. Paresh Goa is a son of notorious matka bookie Bhupad Andha from Mumbai.
In Margao, this time there are two players M P Angadia and S V Ansari, (initials changed). Angadia operates from Old Station road from his office behind a famous footwear showroom and Ansari operates from Arlem opposite to a soft drink manufacturing unit
This time interestingly, Nilesh a close relative of a top South Goa politician is not directly in the betting business. But all hawala transaction are being done under him by the bookies. Nilesh’s office in Margao was raided by crime branch last year during the IPL matches. Interestingly another main bookie Shabuddin Sayyad of Betim has kept away from IPL betting.
In Mormugao names of Vicky, Sherif and Girish Pille popped up during our investigation and are said to be back in the back in business in the last three days.
In North Goa too, the police feign ignorance, which is difficult to actually accept.
“There is no requirement of special tracking for IPL betting. Our concerned police stations know that IPL matches are going on (sic). They will keep track,” Umesh Gaonkar, superintendent of police North Goa said, adding that this betting issue is being sensationalised by the media.
Investigations in North Goa reveal that Sanif, nephew of a noted goon from Taleigao is operating from Panjiim, and Vikas from Mapusa is operating from Cunchelim, Bardez. Sources also reveal that overall the bookies have more than 350 clients across Goa and outside.
In Goa, sit in any local bar for 30 minutes and you pick up nuggets of conversations. This is the turf of betting rackets. Sources say that locals cutting across all segments have started betting on IPL matches. But the local intelligence of Goa Police seems to be in the dark.
The fact remains that along with the Goa centric in house bookies, bookies from other cities also migrate to Goa during IPL matches, since police monitoring is weak here. It appears from the past cases booked by the police, bookies from outside the state also take Goa as safe dwelling state for a short time for betting activities through rented flats and bungalows.
