One more bookie arrested in IPL betting case

An alleged bookie has been arrested in connection with the IPL betting case, taking the number of accused held till now to 19, police said today.

"Devendra Kothari, wanted in the IPL betting case, was picked up from Jaipur and placed under arrest after being brought here last night," said a Crime Branch official.

Police also recorded the statements of his two associates in connection with the episode which came to light during the sixth edition of the cash-rich cricket league.

Kothari was in touch with Pakistani bookies via conference calls facilitated by one of the arrested accused Ramesh Vyas, he said.

With Kothari's arrest, the number of accused who are behind bars rose to 19 and these included bookies Ramesh Vyas, Ashok Vyas and Pandurang Kadam, among others.

Besides them, Chennai Super Kings owner Gurunath Meiyappan, who is son-in-law of Cricket Board President N Srinivasan, and Bollywood actor Vindoo Dara Singh, were also arrested in the case and they are currently out on bail.

Kothari was produced before a local court which remanded him in police custody till July 31.

Crime Branch, probing the case, told the court they have seized three mobile phones from the accused and two more used by him are yet to be confiscated.

Kothari used to place bets through bookie-siblings Sanjay and Pawan Chabra alias Jaipur brothers, whose statements were recorded today in the same case, the prosecution said.

Crime Branch informed the court that two cases under the Gambling Prohibition Act had been registered against Kothari in Jaipur.