The Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, has alleged that illegal betting on IPL cricket matches is taking place under the protection of the Mumbai Police. Speaking in the Upper House on Tuesday, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader claimed that several individuals were involved in large-scale betting operations, with law enforcement officers turning a blind eye to these activities.

Danve further stated that he possessed a pen drive containing details of various conversations and betting-related transactions, which he intended to submit to the council chairman. “I have a pen drive that includes phone call records linked to an application called ‘Lotus 24,’ which is used for betting on cricket matches. Names such as Mehul Jain, Kamlesh Jain, and Hiren Jain have surfaced, and they are allegedly connected with Pakistani cricketers. Senior officers from the Mumbai Police are also involved in this racket,” he alleged.