Mumbai-based bookie Sonu Malad arrested, suspected to have 500 crore monthly turnover
Sonu Malad (circled) has been arrested several times in the past by the Mumbai Police in connection with cricket betting
The Thane Crime Branch on Tuesday arrested Sonu Yogendra Jalan alias Sonu Malad, one of the country’s biggest bookies, for his alleged involvement in cricket betting.
According to an Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) official, Sonu allegedly had several international connections and is considered a big shot bookie in Mumbai.
Besides having associates in Delhi, Kolkata, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana, Malad also had clients and punters in countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
The Kandivli-resident has been arrested several times in the past by the Mumbai Police in connection with cricket betting.
Sonu was arrested from Kalyan on Tuesday evening in connection with providing customised software ‘Bet and Take’ to the five bookies who were arrested in the Dombivali earlier this month. The software is popular among bookies in India and abroad.
He also allegedly bet on Punjab and Mumbai Indian Premier League (IPL) teams this season.
Police had earlier arrested one Vrajesh Joshi (27), suspected to be a member of an online betting ring, for allegedly providing a software for the betting racket that was unearthed in Dombivli in Thane district.
Earlier, police had arrested four suspected bookies who allegedly ran a betting racket during the recently-concluded IPL season from a shop in Dombivli.
They were identified as Gautam Savla (43), Nikhil Sampat (53), Nitin Punjani(28), and Khushal Khimji Malad aka Rambhiyya (41).
Police had also seized two laptops, cash worth Rs 1.60 lakh, three mobile phone handsets, and a diary containing contacts of punters from the bookies.
According to reports, Sonu has a monthly turnover of above Rs 500 crore and could have potentially crossed Rs 1,000 crore during this year’s IPL season.
