Delhi Police busts interstate gambling syndicate in Shahdara, 21 arrested
Synopsis
Delhi Police's AATS cracked an interstate gambling ring operating from a residential address in Shahdara, netting 21 arrests in a single raid. The operation exposed a structured syndicate — with chip sales at ₹500 each, a ₹30,000-per-session venue fee, and four Nepali nationals among those caught — pointing to a well-organised, cross-border network far beyond a casual card game.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police AATS arrested 21 people — 16 men and 5 women — in a raid at West Nathu Colony, Shahdara on 1 July 2026 .
Police seized 2,998 gaming chips worth approximately ₹15 lakh and ₹77,900 in cash.
Organisers Anil Chaudhary and Sagar Ahuja charged participants ₹500 per chip and paid ₹30,000 per session to property owner Laxman Dass , who has also been arrested.
Four accused — Sujeet Pulami Magar , Sarita Rana , Sonia Puri , and Samjhana Singh Suwal — are Nepal nationals residing in Delhi and Ghaziabad.
203/2026 registered at Mansarovar Park Police Station under the Delhi Public Gambling Act ; investigation into the wider network is ongoing.
Delhi Police's Anti Auto Theft Squad (AATS) dismantled an interstate gambling syndicate operating out of Shahdara district on 1 July 2026, arresting 21 people — including 16 men and five women — in a raid on a residential premises in West Nathu Colony. The operation, led by Inspector Prateek Saxena of AATS Shahdara, recovered gaming chips valued at approximately ₹15 lakh, along with ₹77,900 in cash and 22 decks of playing cards.
How the Raid Unfolded
The AATS team had been specifically tasked with monitoring organised gambling in Shahdara, operating in civil clothes to build local intelligence. On 1 July, a team member received credible information about a large-scale gambling session underway at a house in West Nathu Colony. Acting on the tip, officers conducted a planned raid and caught all 21 accused red-handed on the second floor of the premises.
The operation was conducted under the close supervision of ACP/Operations Mohinder Singh and the overall oversight of the DCP, Shahdara District. A case — FIR No. 203/2026, dated 2 July 2026 — was registered at Mansarovar Park Police Station under Sections 3, 4, 6, 9, and 55 of the Delhi Public Gambling Act.
Key Accused and Modus Operandi
During interrogation, two accused — Anil Chaudhary and Sagar Ahuja, both property dealers — disclosed they were managing and operating the gambling session. According to investigators, every participant was required to purchase gaming chips priced at ₹500 each. A total of 2,998 chips, collectively valued at approximately ₹15 lakh, were seized.
Police further established that the premises belonged to 70-year-old Laxman Dass, who has also been arrested. Chaudhary, the tenant and organiser, reportedly paid ₹30,000 per gambling session to Dass for use of the property.
Interstate and Cross-Border Links
The majority of those arrested are residents of Delhi and various parts of Uttar Pradesh. Notably, four of the accused — Sujeet Pulami Magar, Sarita Rana, Sonia Puri, and Samjhana Singh Suwal — are nationals of Nepal, currently residing in Delhi and Ghaziabad. Their presence underscores the cross-border dimension of the network.
Investigation Status
Authorities say the probe is ongoing, with investigators working to trace the financial trail, establish how many prior sessions were held at the premises, and identify other members of the wider interstate gambling network. The scale of the chip inventory and the structured payment to the property owner suggest an organised, recurring operation rather than an isolated event.
Point of View
000-per-session venue arrangement reveal this was no ad hoc card game — it was a managed business with predictable revenue flows. The presence of four Nepali nationals points to a cross-border recruitment or participation channel that investigators have yet to fully map. What the AATS has dismantled is one node; the interstate tag in the FIR signals that the network likely has others. Whether the financial trail leads to hawala links or digital payment records will determine how consequential this bust ultimately proves.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Delhi Police gambling syndicate bust in Shahdara?
Delhi Police's Anti Auto Theft Squad raided a residential premises in West Nathu Colony, Shahdara on 1 July 2026, arresting 21 people caught gambling on the second floor. The operation dismantled an interstate syndicate that used a structured chip-sale model and paid ₹30,000 per session for use of the premises.
What was seized in the Shahdara gambling raid?
Police recovered 2,998 gaming chips valued at approximately ₹15 lakh, ₹77,900 in cash, 22 decks of playing cards, notepads, pens, and other gambling-related articles. All items were seized as case property.
Who were the key accused in the Delhi gambling case?
Anil Chaudhary and Sagar Ahuja, both property dealers, were identified as the organisers of the gambling sessions. Property owner Laxman Dass, 70, was also arrested for allowing his premises to be used. Four Nepali nationals — Sujeet Pulami Magar, Sarita Rana, Sonia Puri, and Samjhana Singh Suwal — were among the 21 arrested.
What charges have been filed in the Delhi gambling syndicate case?
FIR No. 203/2026, dated 2 July 2026, was registered at Mansarovar Park Police Station under Sections 3, 4, 6, 9, and 55 of the Delhi Public Gambling Act. All 21 accused have been arrested.
Is the investigation into the Delhi gambling network still ongoing?
Yes, police say the probe is continuing to trace the financial trail, determine how many prior sessions were held at the premises, and identify additional members of the interstate gambling network.
