Tightening its grip on syndicated sports gambling and financial malpractices, the Enforcement Directorate has taken Guwahati resident Deepesh Bajoria into custody. The enforcement action follows an extensive probe into an unlawful cricket wagering racket that flourished across Assam and neighboring northeastern states during the Indian Premier League tournament windows. Officers from the federal agency's Guwahati Zonal Office-I executed the arrest on September 19 in accordance with Section 19(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
Genesis of the Federal Money Laundering Investigation
The money laundering proceedings trace back to ECIR/GWZO-I/06/2023, formally registered by the federal agency on March 30, 2023. This enforcement action originated from an initial first information report filed by the Crime Branch in Guwahati back in October 2021. Additional criminal proceedings initiated by law enforcement units in Tinsukia and Panbazar were subsequently integrated into the wider scrutiny. These police complaints involved charges framed under Sections 120B, 406, and 420 of the Indian Penal Code, alongside statutory provisions of the Assam Game and Betting Act, 1970, dealing with structured illegal gaming operations.
Digital Wagering Platforms and Bookmaking Operations
Investigators identified Bajoria as a key bookmaker who steered the syndicate's betting operations across the region. To solicit wagers, gather placements, and execute settlements, the syndicate relied heavily on specialized internet platforms such as www.skyexchange.com and www.winner7.io, complemented by encrypted communication channels. These covert digital tools were deployed to maintain anonymity while coordinating sizable financial transactions generated from cricket enthusiasts placing bets during match fixtures.
Over Rs 28 Crore Routed Through Partnership Firm
A major focus of the probe involves the funneling of illicit gambling proceeds through standard banking channels. The agency discovered that revenue generated from the betting operations was channeled through an account held by M/s DRM Coke, a commercial partnership enterprise where Bajoria serves as an active partner. Financial audits revealed that between April 19, 2022, and May 15, 2026, the firm's account processed incoming credits totaling around Rs 28.12 crore and outgoing debits amounting to roughly Rs 28.03 crore, operating primarily as a routing vehicle for illegal cash flows.
Premises Searched and Digital Evidence Gathered
Earlier on May 26, federal officials carried out targeted searches at locations linked to Bajoria pursuant to Section 17 of the PMLA, 2002. Those inspection efforts yielded crucial records pertaining to real estate holdings, documentation of luxury vehicles, and extensive digital records mirrored from relevant mobile devices and email accounts. Forensic evaluation of the seized assets, evaluated alongside depositions recorded under Section 50 of the PMLA, established Bajoria's deliberate involvement in obtaining, possessing, transferring, and disguising tainted wealth as regular commercial income.
Custodial Remand Granted by Special Court
Investigators discovered notable contradictions when matching the explanations provided regarding specific financial transactions against the documentary evidence recovered during subsequent fieldwork. Federal officers are actively tracing the origin, transit channels, final deployment, and primary beneficiaries connected to these large-scale funds. Following his apprehension, Bajoria was presented before CBI Court No. 3 in Guwahati, operating as the designated Special PMLA Court, which granted investigators six days of custody for detailed interrogation.
