Nagpur: In a major crackdown on illegal gambling, the Nagpur Crime Branch raided a gambling den in the Wathoda police station area and arrested nine persons allegedly caught red-handed while betting on card games. Property worth Rs 22.37 lakh, including vehicles, cash and mobile phones, was seized during the operation.
According to police, Crime Branch Unit-5 received specific information that a group was operating an illegal gambling racket involving cash betting on playing cards. Acting swiftly on the input, a police team conducted a raid and apprehended the accused at the spot.
The arrested accused have been identified as Nilesh Chauhan, Ankush Khadki, Prabhakar Bhagat, Amit Khobragade, Shubham Maskare, Swapnil Bisen, Vijay Patil, Bhagwan Dhote and Swapnil Meshram.
Police recovered Rs 32,000 in cash, a Honda City car, a Mahindra Bolero, five two-wheelers, and nine Android mobile phones of different brands. The total value of the seized property has been estimated at Rs 22.37 lakh.
Investigators said the accused were allegedly running the gambling operation for financial gain. All seized articles were confiscated in the presence of panch witnesses before the accused were handed over to Wathoda Police for further legal action.
A case has been registered against all nine accused under the relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act, and further investigation is underway.
Police reiterated that their drive against illegal gambling, betting and other unlawful activities will continue with intensified enforcement across the city.
