Hyderabad: SIT calls investigating officers for review of online betting cases

Hyderabad: The Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Government of Telangana, under the supervision of Shikha Goel, IPS, DG, CID, held its first meeting on Wednesday to chart its course of action.

The meeting was attended by all members of the SIT. In the meeting, it was decided to call all investigating officers handling online betting cases across the State for a meeting at the State Police Headquarters, Hyderabad. They have been instructed to bring case files and relevant information in the prescribed format. SIT will review investigations in existing cases, develop SOPs and guide IOs in all aspects of investigation. This will be followed by meetings with various other stakeholder agencies.

The five-member SIT has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive and time-bound investigation into all online betting cases specifically assigned or transferred to it. Additionally, the SIT will examine the online betting ecosystem to identify enabling factors and suggest necessary reforms to curb such activities.

It will evaluate legal provisions, regulations, and restrictions that can be introduced to prevent the organisation, promotion, and advertising of online betting/gaming and propose appropriate legal measures in the public interest. All government departments and agencies in Telangana were requested to provide full assistance to the SIT. It will submit its final report within 90 days to the Government of Telangana through the Director General of Police (DGP), Telangana.