Café owners in Fatehgunj arrested for IPL betting

Vadodara: One more café in the city came under the scanner after the detection of crime branch (DCB) raided the place on Thursday night in connection with cricket betting.

Proprietors of The High Hats Café in Royal Hub Building in Fatehgunj were arrested for accepting and placing bets on the IPL match between Delhi Capitals versus Sunrise Hyderabad.

“Jainam Sheth, 20 and Vishal Joshi, 28, were accepting and placing bets on the IPL match through bro4bet.com website. They were also in touch with the bookies,” said Jaydeepsinh Jadeja, deputy commissioner of police (crime). They were placing bets on the number of runs to be scored in different sessions.

Sheth and Joshi were in touch with bookies identified as Zubair Garasiya, resident of Padra, Salman, a resident of Ajwa Road and Satish. The trio has been declared as wanted.

Crime branch sleuths seized Rs 85,000 cash, three mobile phones and LED television from the spot.

Five days ago, the crime branch had arrested 19 persons including Indian women team’s former coach, Tushar Arothe for their involvement in betting on an IPL game. After the high profile raid at Café Stock Exchange in Alkapuri, the police have been keeping an eye on cafes and other public to bust betting rackets.

“In both these raids, youngsters were involved. It is a risky affair as they want to earn quick money but they often land in trouble due to debts,” the police said.

Police have urged café owners to be on alert during the IPL season.

“If some customers are seen placing bets on IPL matches, the café management should either ask them to leave the place or call the police. If we learn about the betting activity on our own and raid the spot, then the café management too will be held responsible,” a police official said.