Delhi Police bust Paschim Vihar cricket betting ring; two held with ₹2.82 lakh cash
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
The Anti-Snatching and Burglary Cell of Delhi Police's Outer District has busted an illegal online cricket betting network operating out of Paschim Vihar, arresting two accused under the Delhi Public Gambling Act, officials said on 5 May 2026. The operation, carried out during the intervening night of 3 and 4 May, led to the seizure of ₹2.82 lakh in cash, multiple devices, and documents believed to contain betting records.
How the Raid Unfolded
Acting on credible intelligence about ongoing illegal betting activity in the Paschim Vihar area, a special team was constituted under the leadership of Inspector Ritesh Raj, Incharge of the Anti-Snatching and Burglary Cell, and under the close supervision of ACP (Operations) Virender Dalal. After securing the necessary search permissions from senior officers, the team conducted a well-coordinated raid at the identified premises.
The team comprised SI Devender, SI Gagan, HC Anuj, HC Praveen Malik, HC Ramesh, HC Rajesh, HC Ravi, Ct. Abhishek, Ct. Devender, and W/Ct. Aneesha.
Who Was Arrested
Two suspects were apprehended at the scene: Rohit Nagar (30), a resident of Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and Vinay Kumar (22), a resident of Deoria district, Uttar Pradesh. Both were reportedly caught red-handed during the operation.
What Was Recovered
A substantial haul was seized from the premises, including ₹2.82 lakh in cash allegedly used for betting transactions, 24 ATM cards, 12 bank passbooks, four mobile phones, three laptops, and 24 spiral notepads believed to contain detailed betting records. The volume and variety of the seized material suggest the network had been operational for a considerable period.
Legal Action Taken
A case has been registered at Paschim Vihar East Police Station under FIR No. 119/2026, invoking Sections 3 and 4 of the Delhi Public Gambling Act. Both accused have been formally arrested and the recovered items seized in accordance with legal procedures.
Broader Investigation Underway
Police officials confirmed that further investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the network and identify other individuals involved in the racket. Illegal online betting has been linked to severe financial distress, addiction, and, according to officials, over 1,000 suicide cases tied to betting debts across the country. India's legal framework prescribes prison terms of up to five years and heavy fines for operators of illegal real-money platforms. This arrest signals continued pressure by Delhi Police on organised gambling operations in the capital's outer districts.