Raipur influencer Babu Khemani named mastermind of “3 STUMPS” IPL betting syndicate

Raipur police have identified Raipur‑based social‑media influencer Babu Khemani as the alleged mastermind behind an interstate online cricket‑betting syndicate called “3 STUMPS”, which allegedly funneled crores of rupees through IPL‑season wagering and operated panels from Pune, Mumbai and Goa. An FIR was lodged against him at Gangajalghati police station on April 13, and he has been on the run since, with authorities suspecting he may be coordinating the network from abroad.

Who is Babu Khemani?

Babu Khemani, a Raipur resident, is known in local social‑media circles as an active Instagram influencer who regularly posts lifestyle and entertainment videos. Police sources say his digital footprint helped them trace his alleged role in setting up “3 STUMPS”, an online betting platform modelled on earlier banned satta‑apps such as the Mahadev betting network.

According to investigators, Khemani used his social media presence to attract young users and promote the betting site, turning his online visibility into a recruitment channel for the syndicate. Officers also say he has a prior run‑in with Raipur police: three years ago, he reportedly faced preventive action under restrictive provisions and was fined by the local force.

What is “3 STUMPS”?

“3 STUMPS” is an online betting portal that allegedly offered real‑time cricket wagering, chiefly centred on IPL matches, through a panel‑based architecture similar to other banned apps. Raipur police allege that the platform was engineered to mimic legal betting interfaces but operated in clear violation of India’s gambling laws and state‑specific prohibitions.

Officials say the site allowed users to place bets via multiple layers of sub‑panels, obscuring the trail of funds and making surveillance harder. The complaint against Khemani notes that the platform’s structure bore striking resemblance to earlier satta‑app models exposed in other interstate crackdowns.

How the syndicate operated

Police describe the “3 STUMPS” network as a tightly organised, multi‑city operation, with panels reportedly run from Pune, Mumbai and Goa through Khemani’s relatives and associates. Each panel operator handled user registration, bet placement, and settlements, while common payment gateways allegedly routed the transactions.

Investigators say multiple bank accounts and payment channels were used to move money, including UPI‑linked accounts and other digital‑payment routes, in an attempt to break the audit trail. The use of “mule” accounts and layered transactions appears designed to complicate tracing by both state police and cyber‑crime units.

Role of social media and recruitment

Raipur Cyber officials say social media, especially Instagram and messaging platforms, played a central role in the syndicate’s growth. Influencer‑style posts and short reels allegedly promoted “easy winnings” and high‑stakes betting during IPL games, drawing in a large number of young users and agents.

According to sources, the network relied on WhatsApp and Telegram groups to connect new users, share match‑wise odds, and coordinate payouts. This digital‑first strategy helped the syndicate scale rapidly, with police now probing whether Khemani personally scripted or authorised much of the promotional content.

Police action and prior cases

The FIR against Khemani comes days after Raipur police dismantled another major interstate betting network run by local youth operating 21 illegal satta apps, including Reddy Anna and FBBets, from Goa, Uttar Pradesh and Kolkata. In that case, officers seized mobile phones, laptops and multiple bank accounts tied to transactions worth several crores.

Those arrests featured two main accused—Pratik Kumar Veedhwan and Sanki Devra—whose roles were similar to the kind of “mastermind‑operator” pattern now being attributed to Khemani in the “3 STUMPS” case. Police say the latest complaint is being investigated under relevant provisions of the IT Act and gambling‑related sections, with the possibility of further charges as the probe expands.

What happens next

Raipur police, along with inter‑state cyber units, are now tracking all digital footprints linked to “3 STUMPS”, including server details, domain registrations, and transaction‑trail clusters. Officials told this newsroom that they expect additional arrests in the coming days, especially of panel operators and payment‑channel handlers in Pune, Mumbai and Goa.timesofindia.

For the broader online‑betting landscape, authorities say the case underscores how satta‑syndicates are shifting from single‑app models to multi‑platform networks, often fronted by social‑media personalities. Investigators add that this makes enforcement harder, but also opens up more digital evidence for tracing those described as the master minds behind illegal betting syndicates.