The Guwahati Zonal Office of the Enforcement Directorate carried out overnight searches on Tuesday across New Delhi, Guwahati, and Tinsukia, seizing three luxury vehicles, unaccounted cash, and multiple bank accounts linked to a large-scale illegal IPL betting network.
In an official statement, the ED said the raids led to the seizure of ₹13 lakh in cash and three high-end cars — a Mercedes-Benz, an MG Hector, and a Toyota Fortuner. Several mobile phones and electronic storage devices containing incriminating evidence were also recovered. Bank accounts allegedly used to route proceeds from the betting operations have been frozen.
Case Linked to Multiple FIRs Under PMLA
The ED’s action stems from a money laundering probe into an organized illegal IPL betting syndicate. A case has been registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
The investigation began based on an FIR filed by the Crime Branch Police Station, Guwahati, against Deepesh Bajoria, Ronak Bajoria, Rajesh Jain, and others under sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Assam Game and Betting Act, 1970. Two additional FIRs registered at Tinsukia Police Station in Assam against Bikash Beria, Nitin Beria, Suprit Biswas, and others were clubbed into the probe on March 30, 2026. The ED said these cases involve an interlinked syndicate running similar illegal IPL betting operations.
Tech-Enabled Betting Network Across Three Cities
According to the ED, the accused were running a “well-organised, hierarchical and technologically enabled” betting racket on IPL matches. Bets were placed and settled using mobile phones through encrypted platforms including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram, as well as offshore online betting websites.
Money from the betting was collected and paid out both in cash and via digital channels like UPI and bank transfers. The proceeds were then layered and projected as legitimate funds through a network of family members and associates based in Guwahati, Tinsukia, and Delhi.
Premises Searched
Searches were conducted at the residences of Deepesh Bajoria, Ronak Bajoria, Rajesh Jain, Vikash Agarwal, Suprit Biswas, Bikash Beria, Nitin Beria, and Durga Prasad Beria. A commercial premises in Guwahati operating under the name “Roycee”, previously known as “Playboy”, was also searched.
