₹3.91 Crore Seized as Kanpur Police Bust IPL Betting Racket Linked to Multiple States

In a major crackdown on illegal IPL betting networks , Kanpur Police busted an interstate syndicate operating through a mobile app and website, arresting five persons and seizing ₹3.91 crore in cash along with electronic and financial equipment.

Police Commissioner Raghubir Lal said the racket functioned via Bethub24.com , using a structured system of master IDs and sub-IDs to manage online gambling across multiple states. Gujarat-based members were involved in cash logistics, while operations were coordinated locally in Kanpur.

Acting on complaints and a tip-off, police intercepted a vehicle near Govindpuri bridge late Tuesday night, arresting two accused while they were actively placing bets on mobile phones. Their interrogation led to a raid at a rented house in Kidwai Nagar , which served as the operational hub, resulting in the arrest of three more accused.

Police recovered ₹3.91 crore cash , three currency-counting machines, a currency verification device, mobile phones, and other betting-related materials. Officials said cash counting alone took nearly two hours using machines.

The arrested include Karthik Lakhwani and Rajkumar, who managed operations locally, and Gujarat-based accused Kalpesh, Ravi Nai, and Vishnu , who handled cash movement and logistics. They were allegedly paid ₹13,000–₹20,000 monthly.

Investigators said the group used social media links to lure users to download the app. Small winnings were transferred digitally, while large payouts were settled in cash. The accused also allegedly manipulated betting outcomes to ensure losses for high-stakes users.

Preliminary findings show Lakhwani, who runs a butter paper factory, and Rajkumar obtained the master ID from absconding kingpin Manish alias “Professor” , last traced to Pune and believed to be from Jabalpur.

The seized money has been reported to the Income Tax Department , and wider financial and cyber links are under investigation.