GUWAHATI — The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Guwahati Zonal Office-I, has arrested Deepesh Bajoria, a resident of Zoo Road, Guwahati, under Section 19(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. Bajoria was taken into custody on September 19, 2026, in connection with an ongoing money laundering investigation into a widespread illegal cricket-betting network.
Following his arrest, Bajoria was produced before the Special PMLA Court (CBI Court No. 3) in Guwahati, which granted the agency six days of ED custody for further interrogation.
Syndicate Linked to Major IPL Betting Operations
According to the ED, the money laundering case stems from an ECIR (No. ECIR/GWZO-I/06/2023) registered on March 30, 2023. The probe originated from FIR No. 12/2021 filed by the Crime Branch, Guwahati, alongside connected FIRs registered by the Tinsukia and Panbazar police stations.
The charges include offences under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, as well as Sections 13 and 14 of the Assam Game and Betting Act, 1970. The initial investigation pertained to an organized illegal cricket-betting syndicate that operated across Assam and the broader northeastern region during Indian Premier League (IPL) seasons.
> "Investigation has revealed that Deepesh Bajoria acted as a principal bookie in the syndicate, using the online betting platforms www.skyexchange.com and www.winner7.io and encrypted messaging channels for the solicitation, acceptance and settlement of illegal bettors/punters," the Enforcement Directorate stated.
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Rs 28 Crore Routed Through Non-Operational Firm
The central agency disclosed that illicit proceeds generated from the online betting operations were laundered using a shell enterprise.
> "Funds derived from such activity were routed through the bank account of the partnership firm M/s DRM Coke, in which he is admittedly a partner," the ED stated. "The said account of M/s DRM Coke, though held out as belonging to a non-operational firm, recorded credits of Rs. 28.12 crore (Approx.) and corresponding debits of Rs. 28.03 crore (Approx.) during the period 19.04.2022 to 15.05.2026, and was used primarily for routing betting funds."
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Seizures and Evidence
Prior to his arrest, ED officials carried out search operations at Bajoria’s premises on May 26, 2026, under Section 17 of the PMLA. The raids led to the recovery and seizure of property documents, luxury vehicle records, and digital data cloned from mobile phones and email accounts linked to the suspect.
Analyzing the material along with statements recorded under Section 50 of the PMLA, the agency concluded that Bajoria knowingly engaged in acquiring, possessing, using, and projecting crime proceeds as untainted property.
> "Investigation also revealed discrepancies between the explanations offered regarding the nature and purpose of certain financial transactions and the evidence subsequently gathered during investigation," the ED noted, adding that his conduct during and after search proceedings was also thoroughly examined.
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The agency confirmed that further investigation is currently in progress to track the origin, movement, utilization, and ultimate beneficiaries of the laundered funds.
