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Matka is still being played |
| By: Shiva Devnath | | Date:
2010-05-18 | | Place: Mumbai | |
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This illegal game of betting is thriving in the city after the death of Suresh Bhagat, though on a smaller scale
Though the matka king Suresh Bhagat may be dead and long gone, and his kin languishing in prison, it seems business as usual for the habitual matka player in the city. And, if sources are to be believed, it's none other than the police who are in charge, and making the most of it.
 | | BUSINESS AS USUAL: A matka operator places a bet. Pic/Shiva Devnath | MiD DAY did a check at various areas in the city and learnt that matka is still rampant, chiefly in Chembur, Malvani and Oshiwara. To top it all, large amounts of money is put on bet, for, as they say, "mera number kab lagega".
The matka business in Mumbai is currently run by small-time bookies, primarily in Kalyan and Mulund. Though after the death of Bhagat in June 2008, Madhya Pradesh has become the hub of the business, the activities are allegedly coordinated from Mumbai. There are around 400 matka operators in Mumbai and 1,000 in Maharashtra. In some cases, even criminal elements are involved.
Chembur camp near Inlaks hospital at Chembur (E): The matka den is owned by one Kara Sheth. When this correspondent visited area, he found around 100 people were playing matka. Goons were keeping an eye on the police. The area was dark so as not to raise suspicion. The reporter finally got to a small room, where one person was writing down numbers, as asked for by the players, on chits of paper and putting them inside a matka. The winning number fetches around Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. In the process, the police also allegedly get their commission.
Mahakali, Kaccha road, Malvani: The owner of these premises has not been identified. The place is a small hut out of which the matka business is operated. When the MiD DAY correspondent visited the site at night, around 60-70 people were found playing matka. According to sources, matka starts in the evening and goes on till late in the night. Most people come here during evening hours. MiD DAY found that though matka is not played on a large scale here, it generates a business of Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh every day.
Pooja Video, near Sahil hotel on Oshiwara Link Road: This place is owned by Jannardhan. The modus operandi is similar and the money riding in the game here is anywhere between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 10 lakh.
"I play matka every day at Chembur, but have never been caught by the police. The matka owners bribe the police officials handsomely. So, we have no fears, or anything to worry about," said Santosh Mane, a regular matka player.
When contacted, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Rajneesh Seth took the details from us, and assured us of swift action. |
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