Raj Kundra admits to betting, Shilpa Shetty also under scanner

Delhi police seized Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra's passport and asked him not to leave the country till the spot-fixing probe is over.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar on Thursday said that Rajasthan Royals co-owner Raj Kundra has confessed to betting in the IPL. Talking to reporters, Kumar said that Kundra used to bet through his close aide and business partner, Umesh Goenka. Kumar also said that Kundra used to bet on his own team. "He (Kundra) has admitted to betting. He used to bet on his own team. We have also come to know that he has lost a lot of money in betting. He used to bet through (Umesh) Goenka, who is also a bookie," Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said. He also claimed that investigators have come to know that Kundra has lost a lot of money in betting. According to Delhi police Shilpa's husband Raj Kundra lost Rs. One crore in betting in IPL matches in last 3 years. But they have said that they are verifying this claim. Reports are also coming that Kundra's wife Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty is also involved in betting and chances are that she will be questioned soon. Goenka reportedly told the Delhi Police during interrogation that the Rajasthan Royals co-owner was involved in betting. Delhi Police also claimed that bookie Umesh Goenka has made a reference to Shilpa Shetty placing bets once in IPL. Reacting to the development, Kundra’s wife and actress Shilpa Shetty said, “Umesh Goenka has misused Raj Kundra’s name.” She also tweeted, "Get the real story rather than ure PAID (unreliable) sources. Just to reiterate, we will do all it takes to reach to the bottom of this "spot fixing case" and be of complete help till that happens." Earlier, Delhi police seized Kundra's passport and asked him not to leave the country till the spot-fixing probe is over. It was also reported that the Delhi Police have not ruled out the possibility of Kundra's arrest due to inconsistency in his statements during spot-fixing probe. It was learnt that Kundra and Goenka might be questioned again on Thursday in connection with the IPL spot-fixing scandal. Both were quizzed by a special cell of the Delhi police yesterday for almost 12 hours. The questioning of both Kundra and Goenka began around 10 am and continued till late in the evening. Sources said the name of Goenka, with whom Kundra owns a company deals in steel business, came during the recording of statement of Rajasthan Royals player Sidharth Trivedi, a prosecution witness in the case. In his statement recorded before a magistrate, sources said, Trivedi claimed that Goenka approached him and sought details about the cricket pitch in Ahmedabad and team formations. According to police sources, Kundra was called over phone to appear before investigators who wanted to ask about the ownership details of Rajasthan Royals. "Kundra told police that he owned 11.7 percent while Suresh Chelaram, the brother-in-law of Lalit Modi, owned 43 percent and Manoj Badale has 34 percent. Rupert Murdoch`s son Lalchan Murdoch also has stake in the team," a senior police official said. Kundra, a British national, has 42 percent stake in the steel business with Goenka who has 16 percent shares in the firm, they said. (With inputs from PTI)