Police arrest hotelier Aggarwal for IPL betting

Tamil Nadu Police Monday arrested city hotelier Vikram Aggarwal after questioning him for around seven hours in connection with betting during the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket matches, said an official.

Speaking to reporters here, Crime Branch Criminal Investigation Department (CBCID) Deputy Superintendent of Police N. Venkataraman said: "Aggarwal had money dealings with Uttam C. Jain alias Kitty a bookie."

The bookie also used Aggarwal's hotel room for betting operations.

Police said Aggarwal had information about pitch conditions and other details pertaining to IPL matches.

Police decided to take Aggarwal into custody as he had made numerous calls to many numbers whose ownership is questionable.

The CBCID issued summons Friday to Aggarwal to appear before them as bookies had operated out of his hotel room.

Known as Victor in betting circles, Aggarwal had also used the phone connection in his wife's name to get in touch with the bookies. The hotelier is said to have links with Bollywood actor Vindoo Dara Singh, arrested by Mumbai police for betting.

Aggarwal is said to be a friend of Gurunath Meiyappan, the son-in-law of Indian cricket board president N. Srinivasan. Meiyappan was arrested by Mumbai police and Aggarwal had appeared before the Mumbai police upon summons.

His two hotels - the 129-room Fortune Select Palms near here and the 162-room Radisson Blu Hotel City Centre here - were searched by the CBCID officials. Police told IANS that Aggarwal's residence was not raided as only his hotel premises were used for betting.

Aggarwal did not appear before CBCID despite summons issued to him. The Madras High Court had earlier dismissed Aggarwal's anticipatory bail application after receipt of summons from CBCID.