Actor-Producer Arbaaz Khan, on Saturday presented himself to Thane’s Anti-Extortion cell in Mumbai to give a statement in a betting racket
The actor admitted that he was involved in betting on IPL matches and also lost 2.75 crore rupees to Sonu Jalan. He stated that he will fully co-operate in the investigations
The arrest of India’s topmost bookie, Sonu Yogendra Jalan alias Sonu Malad, brought to fore an alleged Bollywood-cricket betting nexus. Jalan had told the police that Arbaaz, superstar Salman Khan’s brother, has been his client for five years and used to bet on IPL matches.
Arbaaz Khan was called by the police on Friday to record his statement and he left at 3.30 pm. Sources claim that Arbaaz is addicted to betting and also has been reprimanded by his brother.
“It was one of the reasons for his divorce from actor Malaika Arora,” says a source. Cops say that Jalan would often take Arbaaz with him to parties to show off his Bollywood connections. “This angered the actor and he had a showdown with Jalan, who then demanded that Arbaaz pay him back the Rs 2.75 crore he lost,” said the officer from Thane crime branch.
Once Jalan went to Arbaaz’s residence to collect the money, and the actor threatened to teach him a lesson. Jalan recorded the incident on his mobile and used the clipping to blackmail Arbaaz, says the source.”I have recorded my statement and will continue to co-operate with them,” said the actor.
Names of two film producers — Parag Sanghvi and Murad Khaitan —have also cropped up during investigation. “Jalan said they are his partners, and both will be called for questioning,” says an officer. Sanghvi has produced movies such as Partner and Sarkar.
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