₹5,000 crore bets placed on India vs New Zealand CT 2025 final; Dawood's 'D Company' under lens

Bets worth up to ₹5,000 crore have been placed on the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand, set to be played at the Dubai International Stadium on March 9. Sources tracking betting networks indicate that India is the favored team among international bookies. The final match has drawn major betting operators from across the world, with many reportedly linked to the underworld.

Investigations by law enforcement agencies have revealed that several bookies operating in Dubai have connections to Dawood Ibrahim’s gang, ‘D Company.’ Delhi Police’s Crime Branch has already arrested five bookies during the ongoing tournament, uncovering a larger network that spans multiple countries. The suspects were allegedly facilitating betting through online platforms and offline channels, including phone calls and encrypted messaging apps.

During a raid on the India vs Australia semi-final, two bookies identified as Parveen Kochhar and Sanjay Kumar were caught placing live bets using laptops and mobile phones. Authorities recovered multiple electronic devices and documents linked to betting operations. Kochhar allegedly purchased a master ID from an online betting platform, created multiple betting accounts, and distributed them to clients, charging a commission on each transaction.

Another key suspect, Manish Sahani, is believed to be one of the main operators of the syndicate. He reportedly managed financial transactions through both bank accounts and cash dealings. Police recovered ₹22 lakh in cash from three of the arrested bookies. According to officials, Sahani directly controlled betting activities without involving intermediaries, recording conversations of bettors and maintaining transaction records.

Several other individuals linked to the network have been identified, including Chhotu Bansal, a betting app developer now based in Dubai, and Vinay, who allegedly provided live betting updates directly from the stadium. Other names associated with the operation include Bobby, Golu, Nitin Jain, and Jitu from Delhi, as well as international developers of betting applications that operate outside India.

The Champions Trophy 2025, co-hosted by Pakistan and the UAE, has seen all of India’s matches played in Dubai. Authorities continue to track financial transactions and online activity related to betting, with further arrests and legal actions expected as the investigation progresses.