Swiss punters betting racket in vijayawada!

Vijayawada, Jan 6: They know neither boundaries nor continents. They bet on anything, be it Cricket, football, tennis or anything you name. Crores of rupees change hands during Cricket season. Many rich families get reduced to paupers overnight due to betting. A betting gang has adopted the district and is indulging in online betting. This gang has punters even in Switzerland!The police, on a tip-off, arrested Madala Harikrishna, a gas company manager, of Adavinekkalam village of Agiripalli mandal on charges of indulging in online betting.

The operation to crack down punters and bookies started on Dec 31 following information received by incharge police commissioner and Eluru range DIG MM Bhagawat to their mobile phone No 9440904810.Most of the calls were from the family members of the punters themselves. The commissioner has set up a special cell with his `own men'  to put an end to the menace. So far 20 punters have been sent to Nuzivid sub-jail. Even yesterday some betters were taken into custody and lodged in Agiripalli police station.Most of these young punters are from well-to-do families.

As many families are being ruined due to the reckless betting, many women sought police commissioner's help to rein in their sons or husbands. During interrogation Madala Harikrishna spilled the beans that his clients spread all over the state besides Switzerland.As some police officials were aware of the betting beforehand, the commissioner has set up a team comprising his trusted officers who are on the look out for punters from Gollapudi, Kanuru, Poranki, Gannavaram, Agiripalli and Nuzvid areas. The special team would also take all steps to curb illegal bettings, said Bhagawat.