India’s Telangana SIT chairs first meeting on online betting cases
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed by the Indian state of Telangana, to investigate online betting activities, held its first meeting in Hyderabad under the supervision of Director General of Police (CID) Shikha Goel.
Mission to tackle illegal online betting
The five-member SIT, formed under a state order issued on 30 March 2025, has been tasked with a comprehensive, time-bound probe into all online betting cases assigned to it. It will also evaluate the online betting ecosystem in Telangana to identify loopholes and enabling factors. As part of its mandate, the SIT will recommend legal reforms to prevent the operation, promotion, and advertising of online betting and gaming platforms.
The formation of the SIT reflects the Telangana government’s stated commitment to a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against illegal betting and gambling activities online.
Key officials and initial steps
The SIT includes top-ranking officers from various state police divisions. Members of the team include:
- Inspector General of Police (Provisions & Logistics) M. Ramesh
- Superintendent of Police (Intelligence) Sindhu Sharma
- Superintendent of Police, Economic Offences Wing (EOW), CID K. Venkata Lakshmi
- Additional Superintendent of Police S. Chandrakanth
- Deputy Superintendent of Police, EOW, CID M. Shanker
During its first meeting, the SIT directed all investigating officers across the state to bring details of online betting cases to the State Police Headquarters in Hyderabad. Case files must be submitted in a prescribed format for a systematic review.
Scope of investigation and expert involvement
The SIT will not only investigate ongoing cases but also assess the functioning and structure of betting applications. This includes examining financial transactions linked to the apps and their socio-economic impact on citizens.
The probe team is authorised to collaborate with domain experts such as financial analysts, legal advisors, auditors, and forensic investigators to strengthen the investigation process.
Review of legal framework
A key part of the SIT’s role will be to evaluate the effectiveness of the Telangana Gaming Act, 2017. The law currently prohibits online betting in the state, but authorities believe updates may be required to better address modern digital betting operations.
The SIT is expected to suggest reforms that can help tighten legal provisions, ensure stricter enforcement, and offer preventive measures to curb the spread of such platforms.
Coordination across departments
The SIT also plans to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for law enforcement officers and provide them with specific guidance on handling digital evidence and cross-jurisdictional cases.
All state government departments and agencies have been instructed to extend full cooperation to the SIT throughout its investigation. The team is required to submit its final report within 90 days to Director General of Police Jitender, who will forward it to the government.
