(Image source from: Local Press Co)

Indian actor/producer Arbaaz Khan has admitted of being involved in betting on Indian Premiere League matches, according to police officials of Thane anti-extortion cell.

Arbaaz was made to sit face-to-face with alleged bookie Sonu Jalan, who was arrested earlier in the case today when called to record his statement on Saturday before Anti-Extortion Cell (AEC) of Thane police.

The AEC busted the betting racket on May 15 with the arrest of Sonu Jalan alias Sonu Malad including four people in Mumbai. Sonu Jalan is believed to be one of the top bookies of the country, according to the officials.

At the time of probe, a connection between Jalan and Arbaaz was established and two were familiar to each other for over five years, said Pradeep Sharma, Senior inspector and head of AEC.

Read: Actor Arbaaz Khan Summoned in IPL Betting Case by Thane Police

Sonu, the alleged influential person of IPL betting racket has as well mentioned few prominent names involved in the betting huge amounts on IPL teams and players.

According to the AEC officer, Jalan's statement substantiated with handwritten notes in his personal diary, which is now in possession of Thane police. A line holding machine used by Sonu was also seized. The name of a Pakistani Politician has come to the fore, an angle the police are investigating.

"Actor Arbaaz Khan placed bets during one of the past IPL seasons through Jalan. In those days, Jalan was working with a big bookie who went by the name Junior Calcutta. Subsequently, too there was a huge transaction between Jalan and Khan. Apparently, Khan was blackmailed into paying crores, the threat being that his gambling habit would be exposed. But all this will be probed once Khan gives his side of the story," a senior officer associated with the probe said.

While a police source said Khan may have paid over Rs 3 crore to Jalan, inspector Pradeep Sharma, who is leading the probe into the IPL betting racket. "Nothing concrete can be said on this as of now. We need to corroborate it with evidence and statements of those who are linked with the racket."

By Sowmya Sangam