By Firstdespatch Desk Aug 01, 2026
Agartala, Aug 1 (FD) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), through its Agartala Sub-Zonal Office, has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth approximately Rs 1.05 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in connection with an alleged illegal IPL and cricket betting racket in Tripura.
In a statement issued on Friday, the ED said the attached assets include nine immovable properties and bank account balances held in the names of accused Laxman Paul and his wife, Jhuma Dey Paul.
The money laundering investigation stems from an FIR registered by Amtali Police Station under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Tripura Gambling Act, 1926, against Prasenjit Paul and Laxman Paul.
The case dates back to May 11, 2023, when Tripura Police raided Prasenjit Paul's residence and seized Rs 93 lakh in cash, a laptop, mobile phones, four debit cards and 17 notebooks allegedly containing records of betting transactions.
According to the ED, its investigation revealed that Prasenjit Paul, along with his maternal uncle Laxman Paul and other associates, operated an organised illegal betting syndicate linked to IPL and other cricket matches. The agency alleged that Laxman Paul played a crucial role in managing the betting network and helping Prasenjit Paul evade arrest.
The investigation further found that Laxman Paul and his wife allegedly acquired substantial assets, including multiple immovable properties and significant cash deposits, despite having no identifiable legitimate source of income. The ED also alleged that several bank accounts registered in Jhuma Dey Paul's name were actually operated and controlled by Laxman Paul.
This is the second Provisional Attachment Order issued by the ED in the case. Earlier, on March 16, 2026, the agency had attached assets belonging to Prasenjit Paul and his mother.
The latest attachment includes agricultural and residential land in West Tripura, a property in Kolkata, and bank balances held in the names of Laxman Paul and Jhuma Dey Paul. The ED alleged that most of these properties were acquired through cash transactions.
With the latest attachment, the total value of assets provisionally attached by the ED as alleged proceeds of crime in the case has risen to approximately Rs 2.43 crore, comprising cash, bank deposits and immovable properties covered under both attachment orders.
The Enforcement Directorate said the investigation into the alleged betting syndicate is on. FD JK