Nagpur: Acting on a tip-off, Unit 4 of Nagpur Crime Branch busted a betting racket operating from a Brezza car during the IPL 2025 match between Kolkata and Hyderabad on April 3. The operation was carried out near Mangal Murti Chowk, where a group was allegedly placing and accepting bets on the ongoing cricket match.

Between 9:25 pm and 10:40 pm, officials received information that illegal betting activities were taking place inside a Maruti Brezza (MH 49 AS 5772). The crime branch team laid a trap and raided the location, where they found the main accused, Pramod Dayaramji Marodkar (43), a resident of Vishwakarma Nagar, Galli No. 8, Ajni, Nagpur.

Marodkar was caught red-handed accepting bets on the IPL match using a mobile phone. Upon interrogation, he revealed that he was collecting money while the odds and placement were being handled by his accomplice, identified as accused No. 2, Rakesh, who is currently absconding.

Police seized cash amounting to ₹9,860, three mobile phones, other betting-related items, and the Brezza vehicle. The total value of the seized material is estimated to be ₹6,21,870. A case has been registered at Nandanvan Police Station under Section 12(A) of the Maharashtra Gambling Prevention Act based on a complaint by police personnel Nazir Sheikh. Further investigation is underway.

This successful operation was carried out under the guidance of Police Commissioner Dr. Ravinder Kumar Singal, Joint Commissioner Nisar Tamboli, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sanjay Patil, DCP (Detection) Rahul Makanikar, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Abhijeet Patil. The raid was executed by PI Kamalakar Gaddime and his team from Crime Branch Unit 4.