Mumbai: Hindi film director, producer and actor Arbaaz Khan, who is the brother of superstar Salman Khan has been summoned by the Thane police for questioning in connection with a betting probe into the Indian Premier League (IPL).
According to media reports, Arbaaz Khan’s name name surfaced during the investigation of high profile bookie Sonu Jalan, an alleged aide of fugitive mafia Dawood Ibrahim.
The investigation officer of the anti-extortion cell of Thane crime branch, Pradeep Sharma told mediapersons that Arbaaz has been asked to join investigation by 11 am on Saturday to record his statement.
With going into details of the probe, the investigating officer said that the links of the arrested bookie Sonu were international, ranging from countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, UK and Dubai.
“We have gathered certain clue that needed verification and for that purpose, we have summoned Arbaaz,” added the police official.
Sources in the police said that Arbaaz had been summoned for his alleged role in placements of money on matches during the 11th season of the IPL through bookies.
According to leading English news channel Times Now, Arbaaz was betting on IPL matches and lost Rs 2.8 crore in bets following which he was receiving threats from Jalan.
When news channel conatcted Salim Khan, Arbaaz’s father, on his mobile phone, he feigned ignorance about the issue and informed that Arbaaz was not in town.
It may be mentioned here that on May 16, the anti-extortion cell of the Thane Crime Branch raided a building in Dombivli from where the IPL betting ring was being operated.
The police on the subsequent day had nabbed three people in connetion with the operation of betting ring.
The alleged betting ring kingpin, Jalan was nabbed from the Kalyan sessions court premises, where he had come to “comfort” his partners who were produced there on Tuesday.
Jalan is popularly known in gambling circles as Sonu Malad and is said to be a key person in the betting business, with his activities spread across continents.
How big this big syndicate was could be gauged by the fact that its annual turnover was over Rs 100 crore and the same was confirmed by the inspector Pradeep Sharma.
The anti-extortion unit of Thane police claims that Sonu’s arrest would further expose the betting racket and bring to light a large number bookies active in the illegal trade.