Karnataka   

Gambling on poll outcome in Chitradurga district

Chitradurga: At the end of the Assembly elections in the district, while the candidates are keeping their figures crossed, bookies are offering bets on the outcome.

In Chitradurga constituency where the Congress is facing tough fight from the Janata Dal (Secular), the bookies are offering high odds on both the parties.

According to some of the close associates of the bookies here, the money involved is in excess of Rs. 5 crore. Some punters are believed to have bet amounts varying from Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh on the victory of the Congress. The betting is learnt to have started just after the end of polling.

To avoid being caught, clandestine meetings are held where the amount is negotiated. The money could be kept with a trusted mediator or, if the client wishes, a bank account can be opened.

A close associate of a bookie said that five per cent commission is being offered to middlemen who bring in clients.

“Even daily wage labourers in some villages have bet between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000,” the associate said.

Some clients have also bet on the defeat of the former Chief Minister S. Bangarappa, who is contesting against another former Chief Minister, B.S. Yeddyurappa, in Shikaripur constituency of Shimoga district.

When contacted, Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Amlan Aditya Biswas said that the district administration had received some details about betting through the media, but the administration did not have concrete proof to initiate action.Speaking to The Hindu, Superintendent of Police Labhu Ram said that the police could take legal action if they caught the culprits red-handed or received any documental proof.

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