Hyderabad:Task Force police of North Zone busted a cricket betting racket at Kalasiguda, Secunderabad, and took a bookie into custody.

According to the cops, the accused, Mahesh Upadhyaya was arrested while taking bets for the third India-Australia one-day international match held at Ranchi on Friday.

Armed with a tip-off, the Task Force police laid a trap and arrested Upadhya red-handed while taking bets.

P. Radhakishan Rao, DCP, Commissioner’s Task Force, added that the accused was following match scores on a cricket app which is faster than others. The accused maintained secrecy in the betting ratios for which he was accepting money from the punters. Mahesh Upadhyaya deployed 15 to 20 punters to work under him and they were made to place bets for him.

The 33-year-old, hailing from Rajasthan is currently residing in Kalasiguda, Secunderabad. Prior to this he was working in a shop at the Chenoy Trade Centre in Secunderabad.

Drawn by the lure of extra earnings, he began working as a punter under other bookies and later rose to the position of sub-bookie under Rahul Jadam, who is absconding. Rahul Jadam supervised the entire operation, while Mahesh Upadhyaya was conducting betting sessions at his residence and used to collect money from the punters. A case has been filed in the Mahankali police station and a probe is on. The property seized has been handed over to the Mahankali police.

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