Gambling den busted in India, police seize assets worth over $70,140
Indian police raided a gambling den in Maharashtra on Tuesday evening, seizing cash, vehicles, and other equipment valued at over ₹60 lakh ($70,140). A total of 29 individuals have been booked under the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act.
Crime branch acts on tip-off
The operation followed a tip-off received by constable Nandkumar Nandurdikar from Crime Branch Unit 2, who reported illegal gambling activities taking place in a tin shed in the middle of a field in Pathardi village, under the jurisdiction of Indiranagar police station.
Upon receiving this information, senior officers from the city police commissionerate were alerted. A team from Crime Branch Unit 2, led by API Hemant Todkar, launched the raid at 7:40 PM on Tuesday, under the supervision of Commissioner of Police Sandeep Karnik, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Prashant Bacchav, and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sandeep Mitke.
Gambling setup found in tin shed
During the raid, police found several people gambling by playing card games. The den, reportedly set up by Anwar Shaikh from Palse village and Sameer Pathan from Wadalagaon, had been equipped with chairs, tables, an air cooler, and other arrangements for comfort.
Authorities stated that these arrangements were made to attract gamblers who paid to use the facilities.
Vehicles and cash seized
At least 13 individuals were detained during the raid. However, several others managed to escape the scene, abandoning their vehicles.
The police seized a significant amount of property from the location, including five cars, one autorickshaw, 15 motorcycles, multiple mobile phones, cash, and other articles.
The total estimated value of the seized items exceeds ₹60 lakh.
Legal action underway
A case has been registered against 29 people under various sections of the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act. Investigations are ongoing to trace the absconding individuals and determine the extent of the gambling network.
Illegal online lottery shop busted in India’s Maharashtra, 2 held
Recently, two men have been arrested in the Nagpur region of India’s Maharashtra for running an illegal online lottery business under the guise of a shop in the Masurkar Chowk area.
The accused—Rahul Marotrao Ninave (28), a resident of Ganga Jamuna Cement Road near Jagannath Swami Gate, and Shahid Parvez Sheikh Sabir (29), a resident of Mominpura behind Kamal Baba Dargah—were allegedly operating the banned ‘Rajshree Online Lottery’. Police said they were collecting money from customers and conducting gambling-based win-loss games for personal gain.
Lakadganj Police acted on a tip-off and raided the shop, seizing two monitors, a CPU, printer, adapter, mouse, Wi-Fi device, a mobile phone, and ₹1,480 (approx. $18 USD) in cash. The total estimated value of the seized items is ₹40,180 (approx. $480 USD).
A case has been registered following a complaint by PSI Bhandare. API Kichak has filed charges under Sections 318(2), 297(1), and 3(5) of the , along with Sections 4(A), 7(3), and 8 of the Lottery Regulation Act, and Sections 4 and 5 of the Maharashtra Gambling Prevention Act.
Both suspects are currently in custody and further investigation is underway.
