In a devastating turn of events, the perils of online cricket betting have claimed yet another victim, as a Karnataka man’s staggering debts of crores resulted in the untimely demise of his wife.

Darshan Babu, an assistant engineer with the state minor irrigation department in Chitradurga’s Hosadurga, found himself ensnared in the web of online betting, leading to losses exceeding Rs 1 crore. This dire financial situation invited relentless harassment from creditors, ultimately pushing his 24-year-old homemaker wife, Ranjitha, to take her own life on March 18.

The couple, married in 2020, faced upheaval when Ranjitha discovered Darshan’s betting addiction in 2021. The situation worsened as creditors began harassing the family due to Darshan’s inability to repay his debts, reportedly facilitated by issuing empty cheques.

Chitradurga Superintendent of Police, Dharmendra Kumar Meena, revealed that Ranjitha’s father, Venkatesh, filed a complaint stating that his daughter succumbed to the relentless harassment inflicted by moneylenders upon the couple. Threats, confrontations, and the looming stress forced Ranjitha to take her own life, as detailed in her suicide note.

Prompted by the complaint, the police initiated action against 13 suspects under IPC 306, charging them with abetment to suicide. Among them, three accused—Shivu, Girish, and Venkatesha—have been apprehended.

During their investigation, authorities uncovered that Darshan Babu accumulated a staggering Rs 84 lakh in debt from moneylenders between 2021 and 2023, coinciding with the Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The police have vowed to pursue justice vigorously, with arrests made and further actions expected.

In November 2023, the Bengaluru Police Cyber Crime Unit made significant strides in combating such malpractices by dismantling an interstate cricket betting racket, signaling a crucial step towards safeguarding citizens from the perils of cyber fraud.