Bookie-turned Bollywood producer arrested

FAZAL-UR-REHMAN

Karachi: Bollywood Producer Prakash Chandani, who is under the watch of the Mumbai police for his alleged role in an Indian Premier League (IPL) betting racket. Chandani has been detained by immigration officials, after landing at Ahmedabad International Airport from Dubai.

According to Indian police officials, Chandani, who Co-Produced "Gali Gali Chor Hai", is alleged to have been involved in illegal betting and used the ill-gotten funds to produce his film.

In May of this year, Mumbai police arrested six betters, including four top bookies Sonu Malad, Alias Batiya, Deven Kothari and Alias Bhaiji, on match-fixing charges.

Chandani was staying in Dubai and is said to be working as the second in-command to top bookie Sunil Abhichandani Alias Sunil Dubai. The interrogation revealed that it was a part of huge syndicate, headed by Abhichandani.

Police believe that Abhichandani could be linked to fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim. Prakash Chandani, allegedly he was his right hand man, and managed betting syndicates in India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.