Bookie in IPL betting case held from Kalyan court premises

Sonu Jalan is a known bookie, who operated in the country as well as abroad

A 42-year-old bookie, a main accused in IPL betting case, was arrested from Kalyan court premises on Tuesday when he had come to meet an accused arrested in the same case.

The police suspect that the accused have direct links with those in Pakistan. (HT Photo)

Sonu Jalan alias Sonu Batla is a known bookie who operated in the country as well as abroad.

He came to Kalyan court to meet one of the arrested accused to know about the investigation into the IPL case.

“We got information that Jalan is around Kalyan court. We alerted our officers and laid a trap outside Kalyan court. We saw him in sitting in his car. We arrested him and seized his car,” said Pradeep Sharma, senior police inspector from Thane Anti Extortion Cell.

Jalan’s is the sixth arrest in the case. A day ago, Vrajesh Joshi, 27, was arrested in the case.

The police suspect that the accused have direct links with those in Pakistan.

Sharma said, “A total of six people have been arrested till now in the IPL betting racket. These accused were active during the IPL season.”

Deputy commissioner of police, Thane, Abhishek Trimukhe said,”Jalan is one of the main accused in the case and we are investigating with other accused to know more about their gang members. We came to know that Jalan has many cases registered against him.”

On May 17, the Thane anti-extortion cell busted the racket by arresting three cricket bookies from Thane and Dombivli.