Gujarat Police raid Mehsana gambling den: 16 arrested, 35 wanted
Synopsis
Gujarat's State Monitoring Cell stormed an open-field gambling den at Jilani Farm in Mehsana, netting 16 arrests and ₹39 lakh in seized assets — while 35 suspects remain at large. The operation is the second major SMC gambling crackdown in the state within weeks, pointing to an organised network that extends well beyond a single farm.
Key Takeaways
The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) of Gujarat Police raided an alleged gambling den at Jilani Farm, Poida village, Mehsana on 17 August .
16 people were arrested; 35 more have been declared wanted.
Seized assets — cash, 24 mobile phones , and 11 vehicles — are valued at ₹39,00,460 in total.
Alleged main operator Arif Abdulbhai Saiyed of Surendranagar district remains at large.
A case has been filed under the Prevention of Gambling Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 .
The raid follows a similar SMC crackdown at Manpasand Gymkhana, Ahmedabad earlier this month.
The State Monitoring Cell (SMC) of Gujarat Police raided an alleged gambling den operating in an open field at Jilani Farm on the outskirts of Poida village in Mehsana district on 17 August, arresting 16 people and seizing cash, vehicles, and mobile phones collectively valued at ₹39 lakh. Police have since declared 35 more individuals as wanted in connection with the case.
How the Raid Unfolded
The operation was led by Police Inspector P.P. Brahmbhatt and Police Sub-Inspector V.N. Jadeja under the jurisdiction of Modhera Police Station. During the raid, one person identified only as Savanbhai allegedly fled the scene in an SUV, while 20 unidentified individuals also reportedly escaped from the spot before police could detain them.
Seizures and Accused
Seized items included ₹4,79,860 in cash, 24 mobile phones valued at ₹2.30 lakh, 11 vehicles worth ₹31.90 lakh, and miscellaneous items valued at ₹600 — bringing the total assessed value of seized property to ₹39,00,460.
The 16 arrested individuals handed over to Modhera Police include Moin Khan Sikandarkhan Pathan, Nazir Mohammed Valibhai Sandhi, Vishnubhai Govabhai Rabari, Isarkhan Abdul Khan Pathan, Sarfaraz Habibbhai Fakir, Jitendrasinh Pravinsinh Zala, Mehbubsha Huseinsha Diwan, Shahrukhbhai Haidarbhai Belim, Vasantbhai Kanjibhai Chauhan, Razakbhai Iqbalbhai Saiyed, Afridi Sabirbhai Luhani, Arhaan Mehbubbhai Qureshi, Mohammed Rafiq Siddiqbhai Mansuri, Sumitbhai Rajeshbhai Kriplani, Sagarbhai Jesingbhai Desai, and Rahimmiya Radhumiya Sindhi.
Main Accused and Wanted List
Police have named Arif Abdulbhai Saiyed of Surendranagar district as the alleged main accused and operator of the gambling den. Jilani Hanifbhai Sindhi of Poida, who allegedly provided the premises, has been named a wanted accused and alleged partner of Saiyed. Several other identified individuals — including Karansingh Kirtisingh Solanki, Ganeshbhai Parmar, and Alpesh Amreliya — are also being sought. Owners or occupants linked to the seized vehicles and mobile phones are being traced separately.
Legal Provisions and Broader Context
A case has been registered under Section 12 of the Prevention of Gambling Act and Section 112(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Investigation is ongoing to trace the remaining wanted accused and determine the full scope of the alleged operation.
This comes amid sustained action by the SMC against illegal gambling across Gujarat. Earlier this month, the SMC had raided an alleged gambling operation at Manpasand Gymkhana in Ahmedabad, where a large number of people were also detained. The back-to-back operations signal an intensified crackdown by the state police on organised gambling networks.
Point of View
Not isolated dens. Yet with 35 accused still at large — including the alleged main operator — the effectiveness of the crackdown hinges on whether the wanted list translates into actual arrests. The use of open farmland on village outskirts as a gambling venue also points to a deliberate operational strategy to evade urban surveillance, a pattern that enforcement agencies will need to account for in future intelligence gathering.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Gujarat Police raid at Mehsana?
The State Monitoring Cell of Gujarat Police raided an alleged gambling den at Jilani Farm on the outskirts of Poida village in Mehsana district on 17 August, arresting 16 people and seizing assets worth ₹39 lakh. A further 35 individuals have been declared wanted in connection with the case.
Who is the alleged main accused in the Mehsana gambling case?
Police have named Arif Abdulbhai Saiyed of Surendranagar district as the alleged main operator of the gambling den. Jilani Hanifbhai Sindhi of Poida, who allegedly provided the premises, is named as a wanted accused and alleged partner.
What was the total value of assets seized in the Mehsana raid?
Seized property was assessed at a total of ₹39,00,460, comprising ₹4,79,860 in cash, 24 mobile phones worth ₹2.30 lakh, 11 vehicles worth ₹31.90 lakh, and other items valued at ₹600.
Under which laws has the case been registered?
A case has been registered under Section 12 of the Prevention of Gambling Act and Section 112(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Investigation is ongoing to trace the remaining wanted accused.
Is this part of a wider crackdown on gambling in Gujarat?
Yes. The Mehsana raid follows a similar SMC operation earlier this month at Manpasand Gymkhana in Ahmedabad, where a large number of people were also detained. The back-to-back actions indicate sustained enforcement activity against alleged illegal gambling networks across the state.
