Pune: Five persons were arrested by Pune police Crime Branch for allegedly running a cricket betting racket and placing bets during the India-Pakistan final match of the Champions Trophy on Sunday.

A police officer said such was the demand, that the accused did business worth about Rs 30 lakh within a few hours of the match, and as expected, most bets were on Pakistan losing the match.

The arrested persons were identified as real estate agent Hariom Shivji Thakkar (49) and his accomplices Deepak Rajkumar Gidwani (32), Raju Gopal Talreja (65), Raju Divyajeet Rajkanvar (36) and Ashok Leelaram Thavani (56). 

Acting on a tip-off, a team led by Police Inspector Sitaram More, in-charge of Crime Branch Unit III raided a flat in a residential society Ashwini Palace in Wanawadi and nabbed the accused persons. The police seized a laptop, 11 cell phones and other betting materials. DCP (Crime Branch) Pankaj Dahane said, “The accused were betting based on requirements from their acquaintances after watching the match on television.”