ED Arrests Deepesh Bajoria in Illegal IPL Betting and Money-Laundering Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Guwahati Zonal Office-I, has arrested Deepesh Bajoria, a resident of Zoo Road, Guwahati, in connection with an alleged illegal cricket-betting syndicate operating during Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons across Assam and the wider northeastern region.
Bajoria was arrested on September 19, 2026, under Section 19(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Following his arrest, he was produced before the designated Special PMLA Court, functioning as CBI Court No. 3 in Guwahati, which remanded him to six days of ED custody for further investigation.
The money-laundering investigation stems from an FIR registered by the Crime Branch, Guwahati, on October 11, 2021, along with related cases registered by Tinsukia Police Station and Panbazar Police Station in Guwahati. The cases concern allegations of criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and violations of the Assam Game and Betting Act, 1970.
According to the ED, Bajoria allegedly played a key role as a bookie in the betting syndicate. The agency’s investigation found that online platforms, including SkyExchange and Winner7, along with encrypted messaging channels, were allegedly used to solicit bets, accept wagers and settle payments with bettors.
The ED further alleged that funds generated through these betting activities were routed through the bank account of M/s DRM Coke, a partnership firm in which Bajoria is a partner.
Despite being described as a non-operational firm, the account reportedly recorded credits of approximately ₹28.12 crore and debits of around ₹28.03 crore between April 19, 2022, and May 15, 2026. According to the agency, the account was primarily used to route betting-related funds.
Earlier, on May 26, 2026, the ED conducted searches at premises linked to Bajoria under Section 17 of the PMLA. During the operation, investigators recovered property documents and records relating to luxury vehicles. Digital data from email accounts and mobile devices connected to him was also extracted for examination.
The agency said the material collected during the investigation, along with statements recorded under Section 50 of the PMLA, indicated that Bajoria was allegedly involved in acquiring, possessing, using and transferring proceeds of crime and projecting them as legitimate assets.
Investigators are also examining financial transactions involving various individuals and entities. The ED said discrepancies were found between explanations provided for certain transactions and the evidence subsequently gathered. The source, movement and utilisation of the funds, as well as the identities of their ultimate beneficiaries, remain under investigation.
The agency said Bajoria’s conduct during the investigation, including after the search proceedings, was also examined before the decision to arrest him.
The investigation is continuing to trace the alleged proceeds of crime and establish the wider financial network connected to the illegal betting operation.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
