Karnataka: Former bookie spills beans on police-matka nexus

BELAGAVI: The alleged nexus between matka (illegal gambling) bookies and police runs so deep in the city that the former have even  presented TV sets and other costly gadgets to police stations! The 'matka syndicate' in Belagavi earns nearly half-a-crore rupees every day.

These were some of the shocking secrets  revealed by Gajanan Topankatti, who used to be in matka business till 1994 in Belagavi. In his letter to top police authorities, Gajanan highlighted the way some of police officials in Belagavi were helping matka bookies run their business smoothly.

"A matka syndicate by name Balakrishna is being run by a group of people in Belagavi. It also covers areas such as Gokak, Bailhongal, Kitur, Bagewadi and Marihal. Matka activities are being promoted by the police in Khadebazaar police station limits and the syndicate does a business of at least Rs 40 lakh everyday. My brother who started controlling my matka activities after I left it in 1994 is heading the syndicate," he added.

The same syndicate is also involved in cricket betting with the help of police. They have a special software designed by an expert to run the betting racket and matka in a high-tech manner, he said. Though he had dissociated himself from the matka trade in 1994, after being jailed for a criminal case, the police often takes him into custody for no reason and harass him.

He provided details of the entire matka network and said that instead of catching those involved in matka racket, the police was harassing him. According to sources, four other matka bookies met Belagavi Police Commissioner S Ravi recently and brought to his notice the nexus the bookies have with men in khaki. They have even handed over to Ravi a list of police officials who allegedly accepted money from bookies.