Online betting pushes Hyderabad police personnel into debt
HYDERABAD: Senior officers say a growing number of personnel in the police department are falling into the online betting trap, raising concern at the top levels. Many young constables and sub-inspectors are reportedly among those most affected.
According to officials, several personnel first lose money on betting platforms and then try to recover it through further betting, drifting into a cycle of debt. In this process, they borrow from family members and friends. When that proves insufficient, they turn to loan apps that charge extremely high interest rates. Unable to repay, some personnel have taken their own lives.
Officers flag urgent need for action
“Some constables and sub inspectors who are tech savvy are getting deeply involved in online betting. We need an urgent plan to curb this,” a senior officer said.
In a recent case in the Hyderabad Police Commissionerate, a sub-inspector who was placed under suspension was found to have diverted recovered gold to clear debts incurred through betting.
Two suicides in a month
Constable Sandeep, 27, posted at the Sangareddy Town police station, died by suicide recently after shooting himself with his service pistol. Preliminary inquiry suggested that he had fallen into debt due to betting.
Two weeks earlier, constable Srikanth, posted at the Filmnagar police station, died by suicide at Uppal Mallikarjun Nagar. Inquiry indicated he had stayed away from duty due to financial distress. His family had already sold their house in Jiyaguda, but his situation did not improve. Suspicions were raised that online betting apps had pushed him into the crisis.
