Tue Mar 25 07:32:53 UTC 2025: ## Maharashtra Opposition Leader Accuses Mumbai Police of Shielding IPL Betting Ring

**Mumbai, March 25, 2025** – The Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve of the Shiv Sena (UBT), today leveled serious allegations against the Mumbai police, accusing them of protecting a large-scale betting ring operating during the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Danve presented evidence in the Upper House, claiming to possess a pen drive containing call records from a betting application called ‘Lotus 24’. He alleged that the application facilitated betting on IPL matches, linking individuals named Mehul Jain, Kamlesh Jain, and Hiren Jain to Pakistani cricket players and senior Mumbai police officers.

“The betting activities are happening under the protection of the Mumbai police,” Danve stated. He further criticized the state government for alleged withholding of crime reports for 2022-23 and 2023-24. Citing the State police department’s figures, he reported a staggering 782,960 criminal incidents in 2024, including a sharp rise in rape and molestation cases – averaging 22 rapes and 45 molestation cases daily. He attributed this increase to a perceived lack of prosecution by the state government.

Danve also highlighted severe overcrowding in Maharashtra’s prisons, with 43,000 inmates housed in facilities designed for 27,000. He added that financial frauds worth ₹51,000 crore were reported in 2024, demanding answers from the government regarding its countermeasures. Danve concluded by submitting the pen drive containing the alleged evidence to the council chairman for further investigation. The Maharashtra government is yet to respond to these serious accusations.

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