ED raids IPL betting network in Assam, Delhi; ₹13 lakh cash seized
Synopsis
The ED's overnight raids on an alleged IPL betting syndicate spanning Guwahati, Tinsukia, and Delhi exposed a technologically-enabled network using WhatsApp, Telegram, and offshore platforms to launder proceeds through family fronts — with luxury vehicles, frozen bank accounts, and ₹13 lakh in cash as the opening haul.
Key Takeaways
The ED conducted late-night raids on 26 May 2026 across Guwahati , Tinsukia , and New Delhi targeting an illegal IPL betting syndicate.
Searches were conducted under Section 17 of the PMLA, 2002 ; accused include Deepesh Bajoria , Ronak Bajoria , Rajesh Jain , and others. ₹13 lakh in unaccounted cash, three luxury vehicles ( Mercedes-Benz , MG Hector , Toyota Fortuner ), and multiple digital devices were seized.
Multiple bank accounts allegedly used to route betting proceeds were frozen .
The syndicate allegedly used WhatsApp , Telegram , Instagram , and offshore betting platforms to operate.
The ECIR scope was expanded on 30 March 2026 following two additional FIRs at Tinsukia Police Station .
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted late-night search operations across Assam and New Delhi on the night of 26 May 2026, targeting a large-scale illegal IPL cricket betting racket and the alleged laundering of proceeds generated through the network, officials said on Wednesday. The raids, spanning Guwahati, Tinsukia, and the national capital, resulted in the seizure of ₹13 lakh in unaccounted cash, three luxury vehicles, and multiple digital devices.
How the Raids Unfolded
The searches were carried out under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and continued overnight at multiple locations. Residences of Deepesh Bajoria, Ronak Bajoria, Rajesh Jain, Vikash Agarwal, Suprit Biswas, Bikash Beria, Nitin Beria, and Durga Prasad Beria were searched. Investigators also raided a commercial establishment in Guwahati operating under the name 'Roycee', previously known as 'Playboy'.
Origins of the Investigation
The probe was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by the Crime Branch Police Station, Guwahati, against Deepesh Bajoria, Ronak Bajoria, Rajesh Jain, and others under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Assam Game and Betting Act, 1970. The ED subsequently expanded its scope by recording an addendum to the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) on 30 March 2026, following two additional FIRs registered at Tinsukia Police Station against Bikash Beria, Nitin Beria, Suprit Biswas, and others in connection with similar IPL betting activities allegedly run by an interlinked syndicate.
How the Syndicate Allegedly Operated
According to the ED, the accused ran a 'well-organised, hierarchical and technologically-enabled' betting racket centred on IPL cricket matches. Bets were allegedly solicited, accepted, and settled through mobile phones, encrypted messaging platforms including WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram, as well as offshore online betting portals. Transactions were processed via both cash and digital channels, including UPI and bank transfers. The proceeds were allegedly layered through a network of family members and associates based in Guwahati, Tinsukia, and Delhi to project them as legitimate assets.
What Was Seized
The ED recovered ₹13 lakh in unaccounted cash and seized several digital devices — mobile phones and electronic storage media — allegedly containing records of betting transactions, coded communications, and digital trails linked to the movement of proceeds of crime. Three luxury vehicles — a Mercedes-Benz, an MG Hector, and a Toyota Fortuner — suspected to have been purchased using crime proceeds were also seized. Multiple bank accounts allegedly used to route betting proceeds were frozen.
What Happens Next
The ED has stated that further investigation is underway. This crackdown is part of a broader pattern of enforcement action against illegal IPL betting operations during the cricket season, with agencies increasingly targeting the digital and financial infrastructure that sustains such networks.
Point of View
Luxury vehicles as asset-parking instruments, and UPI as a quasi-anonymous settlement rail. The frozen bank accounts and digital device seizures suggest the ED is building a proceeds-of-crime trail that could widen the net of accused significantly beyond those named so far.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the ED uncover in the IPL betting raids in Assam and Delhi?
The ED uncovered an alleged large-scale IPL cricket betting and money laundering network operating across Guwahati, Tinsukia, and New Delhi. Raids on 26 May 2026 led to the seizure of ₹13 lakh in cash, three luxury vehicles, digital devices, and the freezing of multiple bank accounts.
Who are the accused named in the IPL betting case?
The accused named include Deepesh Bajoria, Ronak Bajoria, Rajesh Jain, Vikash Agarwal, Suprit Biswas, Bikash Beria, Nitin Beria, and Durga Prasad Beria. The probe was initiated on the basis of FIRs registered by the Crime Branch Police Station in Guwahati and Tinsukia Police Station.
How did the IPL betting syndicate allegedly operate?
According to the ED, the syndicate ran a hierarchical, technology-enabled network using mobile phones, WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and offshore betting platforms to solicit and settle bets. Proceeds were allegedly laundered through family members and associates and projected as legitimate assets via cash, UPI, and bank transfers.
Under which law did the ED conduct these raids?
The searches were conducted under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The ED had also recorded an addendum to its Enforcement Case Information Report on 30 March 2026 to expand the scope of the investigation.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The ED has stated that further investigation is underway. Bank accounts allegedly used to route betting proceeds have been frozen, and digital devices seized during the raids are being examined for transaction records and coded communications.
