The case dates back to IPL days. And has all the masala that Hindi potboilers thrive on: bookies, betting booze and bribe. Throw in the fact that the matter came to light 10 days later because “higher officials” dispatched the inspector and ACP of the concerned PS on a “long leave.”
Acting on a tip-off about illegal betting, detection staff (D-staff) sub-inspector J.J. Rana of Sola PS raided an apartment in the Sola area during the IPL play-offs. The raid seized 35 gold biscuits, a cachet of dollars and 35 bottle of foreign liquor (Blue Label and Royal Salute).
What followed is yet to emerge but clearly some dealings did transpire. “The matter was sealed in Rs 80 lakhs. Inspector Rana was asked not to file the case by the PI. An upfront payment of Rs 35 lakhs was made. The ‘manager’ of the top official was given Rs 10 lakhs, Rs 20 lakhs was pocketed by the PI and the remaining was handed to the D-staff. Rana’s share remains unstated. However, while Rana is suspended, the PI and ACP have taken a long leave,” shares a tight-lipped police insider, hinting at the higher chain of command that is shielding the two.
The source also shared unconfirmed details of how the inspector initially demanded Rs 5 crores. “However, the case was settled in a crore. Maybe to push his luck further, the PI, however backtracked and registered a case with the Sola PC. That is how bookie Nayan Seth landed in police net,” he added.
The matter was suppressed and once formalities were done with, accused Nayan was granted bail. However, the liquor worth lakhs recovered from Nayan’s house, is believed to have been whisked away by the D-staff. “Each bottle costs Rs 45,000 upwards and though 35 bottles were officially seized, it never made way to the PS,” added the officer on conditions of anonymity.
The matter is slowly coming to light and threatens to uncover some big names involved in the kickbacks of the case. Bookie Nayan is also believed to have recovered the gold and dollars. Meanwhile, the Sola PS inspector and ACP are on leave and so are the Ghatlodia police station inspector, Y.R. Vaghela and ACP.
When asked to explain how the details emerged, the police official added: “Between the Ghatlodia and Sola PS officers, it seems there was a fallout over the percentage each must get. The peeved officers are the ones who let out the case details.”
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