Betting racket busted, 21 arrested

In an unprecedented operation against organised gambling rackets surreptitiously flourishing within the Capital, 21 men were arrested for their alleged involvement in what police claim is a 'matka' rink spread across northern India on Thursday.

In an unprecedented operation against organised gambling rackets surreptitiously flourishing within the Capital, 21 men were arrested for their alleged involvement in what police claim is a 'matka' rink spread across northern India on Thursday.

The arrests followed the input that one Mohammad Usman Haji and his son Mohammad Suleman, the operators of apparently one of the biggest networks of underground gambling rackets spread across half a dozen north Indian states, were operating one such chapter at north Delhi's Daryaganj.

"Accordingly, a raid was conducted and 21 people, who were found playing or involved in the 'matka' form of gambling underway at the premises were apprehended. Mohammad Haji, a known criminal from the area, however, managed to escape," said Ravindra Singh Yadav, additional CP (crime).

His son Suleman, however, was nabbed by the police. Others arrested range from cashiers and supervisors to managers and the gamblers themselves.