Ahmedabad Crime Branch busts alleged IPL betting racket in Hansol, Indore man arrested

Ahmedabad's Detection of Crime Branch has arrested a 37-year-old man from Madhya Pradesh for allegedly operating an online cricket betting racket linked to IPL matches from a rented house in the Hansol area of the city.

The accused, identified as Ravi Bhagwandas Khanchandani, originally hails from Indore and was residing in a rented accommodation at R B Park Society in Hansol, Sardarnagar.

Police said the raid was conducted late on the night of May 26 after Crime Branch personnel received a tip-off that online betting activities were being carried out during the IPL 2026 quarter-final match between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT).

Crime branch personnel were on patrol duty near Hansol when they received information regarding alleged betting operations being conducted through multiple online betting portals.

Police said the door of the house was locked from inside and was opened by the accused after officers knocked. During the search, officers allegedly found betting activities being conducted through a laptop, tablet devices and multiple mobile phones displaying live betting interfaces related to the ongoing IPL match.

Investigators found several betting websites and exchange panels open on internet browsers, including accounts allegedly operating under user IDs such as 'Satnaam2', 'Krn96' and 'rj25ppp'. Police claimed that large balances and betting figures linked to live cricket gambling were visible on the devices during the raid.

The accused was accepting bets and maintaining gambling accounts linked to live cricket sessions and match outcomes for financial gain.

Police seized electronic gadgets and betting equipment collectively valued at ₹4.15 lakh, including an Apple MacBook Pro laptop, a Samsung Galaxy tablet, five premium mobile phones, a keyboard, notebooks allegedly containing betting accounts, debit cards, identity documents and other materials.

During interrogation, the accused allegedly informed police that the betting IDs were provided by another person identified as Rakesh Keshwani, a resident of Indore, who is currently absconding. Police alleged that Ravi Khanchandani distributed balances to customers for placing bets on live cricket matches and maintained betting records on electronic devices.

The FIR further states that telephonic betting deals and “session” transactions related to ongoing IPL matches were also being handled through mobile phones recovered during the raid.

Crime Branch officials have booked the arrested accused and the absconding co-accused under of the Gambling Act. Further investigation is under way to trace the source of the betting networks, identify additional associates and examine the financial trail linked to the online gambling operation.