IPL betting | Maharashtra police arrest two from Kalaburagi, seize BJP MLA’s wife’s car
Kalaburagi: A special team of Solapur City Crime Branch of Maharashtra Police raided a house in Kalaburagi last Sunday and arrested two persons and mobile phones, a vehicle, and other things worth Rs. 38 lakh in a major IPL betting bust.
Working on definite information the raiding team was guided and supervised by Solapur Police Commissioner Ankush Shinde and Assistant Commissioner Abhay Mulchand Dongare.
As per the information provided by the police, the car seized in the raid (KA51 MP9955) belonged to Jayashree B Mattimud, the wife of BJP leader and MLA for Kalaburagi Rural Basavaraj Mattimud, The Hindu reported.
According to the sources in the police department, the Maharashtra police team came to Kalaburagi and, with the assistance of M.B. Nagar police, raided the house on November 8 – the day for which Qualifier 2 of Indian Premier League (IPL) was scheduled to be played between Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad at Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
The team arrested Atul Suresh Sirshetty of Solapur and Pradeep Mallayya of Bhavanipet, who were allegedly engaged in betting, and also seized four laptops, 13 mobile phones, modems, and other equipment apart from the car. One more person, Ghoraknath – the brother of Ms. Jayashree, was absconding, the report added.
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CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
