The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) rank officer serving in Bengaluru, who has come under the scanner for alleged links with the kingpin of an illegal lottery racket, was also involved in the Indian Premier League cricket betting ring, sources in the Criminal Investigation Department said.
Lottery scam
During the probe into the lottery scam, the CID stumbled upon the links of the officer with bookies.
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Sleuths found that he was in constant touch on the phone with at least two Mumbai-based bookies. Sources said that the Call Detail Record (CDR) has confirmed his role in the betting racket and now, the officer is believed to have emerged as one of the top officers in the city and Mysuru to be actively involved in the betting ring.
Though there were allegations of the officer’s nexus with the betting ring during his earlier stint in the city, it had not invited a probe, sources said adding that the officer was also in contact with people running gambling dens. Investigations into the officer’s alleged nexus with illegal lottery kingpin Pari Rajan indicated monetary transactions between the two. Sleuths have also confirmed that Pari Rajan had overseen the sinking of a borewell in the officer’s house in Arkavathy Layout besides staying together in a guest house in KGF.
It is reliably learnt that the officer has sought permission for a 10-month sabbatical starting June-end, as he has bagged a fellowship to study in a North American university.While the CID is concentrating on the nexus with Pari Rajan, a senior officer indicated that the investigating agency could launch a full-fledged probe into various other angles that are emerging.
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The CID is likely to seek police custody of Pari Rajan, who is currently in judicial custody. At least six officers, including the IGP and now suspended Superintendent of Police Dharanesh, who were found to be in touch with Pari Rajan, are likely to be summoned after recording Pari Rajan’s statement.
When contacted, Deputy Inspector General of Police (CID) Hemanth Nimbalkar refused to divulge details of the probe.
Sleuths stumbled
on this while probing links to illegal
lottery racket