Mumbai cops to question Delhi-based bookie in betting case

Seeking custody of bookie Ashwin Agarwal alias Tinku Delhi, arrested earlier by Delhi Police, Mumbai Police's crime branch told the local court that it wanted to find out whether he had links with IPL players other than Ajit Chandila.

"Tinku was in touch with one IPL player (Ajit Chandila) and we want to find out if there were any other players with whom Tinku was in touch," public prosecutor Wajid Sheikh said.

Accepting the plea, Magistrate AA Khan remanded him in crime branch's custody till June 6.

During the arguments, advocate Shiekh said several Mumbai-based bookies placed bets to the tune of crores of rupees with Tinku. He channelised the money delivered through 'hawala' by another arrested accused, the prosecutor said.

Tinku placed bets using a mobile number registered in the name of one Kothari and the crime branch wanted to trace this person, he said.

Tinku's lawyer, advocate B L Jagtap, however pointed out that Delhi Police had given the same reasons while seeking his custody from the court there.

The court also extended the police custody of Pune-based bookies Dinesh Sharma and Kishore Pablani till June 6. Prosecutor Sheikh said police wanted information from them about co-accused Kishore Badlani alias Kishore Pune.

Defence lawyers said Badlani was abroad and his family had informed the police that he would be returning to India on June 3.

So far, Mumbai police have arrested 13 persons in the IPL betting racket

Photograph: Sahil Salvi