Police arrests 5 cricket bookies

Vadodara, Mar 20 (UNI) Police arrested five ''bookies'', including alleged king-pin Jivan Khimchand Thakkar, on the charge of running a cricket-betting syndicate from Varesia area of the city early today.

Acting on a specific information, police raided the place where they were placing bets on the one-day international played between India and Bermuda World Cup match in the West Indies.

Police claimed to have recovered Rs 25,000, nine mobile phones and two TV sets from them, putting the value of total seizure at Rs 53,000.

Others arrested identified by police are Vimal Ashok Vajrani, Umesh Naran Patel, Jethamal Chhogamal Kamlani, all residents of Godhra town, and Virendra Jayantibhai Roomla of Kalol town.

A case been registered and investigation is in progress, police sources said.

UNI