Four arrested in Hyderabad for betting on Ind vs SA Test

Hyderabad: The see-sawing battle between India and South Africa cricket teams in faraway Cape Town seems to have got a few punters hooked onto television sets in Hyderabad, with some placing huge bets on the match.

Acting on a tip off, the Cyberabad Police Special Operations Teams (SOT) from Madhapur and Shamshabad raided a house and arrested four persons on charges of cricket betting at Pragathi Nagar in Bachupally late on Friday. Police seized Rs 15.2 lakh, laptops and a communicator, among other items.

The arrested persons were identified as G Ravi Kiran



Reddy (33), K Koti Reddy (30), G Appanna (42) and M Ajay Reddy. Another suspect, Venky Babu from West Godavari, is at large.

Police said Ravi Kiran got in touch with Koti two years ago and both plotted to organise betting to earn a quick buck. They appointed Appanna and Ajay as employees. Ravi Kiran took a pent house at Pragathi Nagar, where they organised betting.

Venky Babu provided the phone line communicator, while Appanna worked as the operator. Ravi Kiran set up a unit of 26 lines with the communicator box for accepting betting from punters.