10 Arrested in Vadodara Gambling Raid, Rs 2.17 Lakh Confiscated
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Synopsis
In Vadodara, Gujarat Police's SMC executed a raid on a gambling den in Garadi village, apprehending 10 individuals and seizing Rs 2.17 lakh. The operation raised questions about local police awareness of illegal activities.
Key Takeaways
- 10 individuals arrested during gambling raid
- Rs 2.17 lakh seized from gambling den
- Two main suspects escaped
- Authorities continue to search for fugitives
- Investigation ongoing under Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act
Vadodara, March 19 (NationPress) In a decisive action against illegal gambling, the Gujarat Police's State Monitoring Cell (SMC) conducted a raid on a gambling den located in Garadi village within the Vadodara Rural district, resulting in the arrest of 10 individuals, according to police reports.
The operation, carried out on the evening of March 18, led to the confiscation of Rs 2.17 lakh in cash and valuables, raising concerns about the local police's knowledge regarding the situation in the area.
Two primary suspects orchestrating the gambling operation managed to evade capture.
As per a complaint lodged by an Assistant Sub-Inspector from the Gandhinagar SMC, intelligence reports indicated ongoing illegal gambling activities in the Motha Talavadi area of Garadi village.
In response to this information, a surprise raid was executed at 6 p.m., resulting in the apprehension of 10 gamblers.
The two key operators of the gambling den escaped the scene prior to their arrest.
A case has been filed under Section 12 of the Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act at the Shinor police station.
The arrested individuals originate from various locations including Vadodara city, Jambusar, Tilakwada, Dabhoi, Karjan, and Shinor talukas.
During the raid, authorities seized Rs 1.60 lakh in cash along with 10 mobile phones valued at Rs 57,000, totaling Rs 2.17 lakh in recovered assets.
The substantial cash recovery from a small village like Garadi has raised questions about the effectiveness of the Shinor police and its district personnel, who appeared unaware of the illicit gambling operations.
The detained individuals have been transferred to the Chandod police station for further inquiry.
The accused have been identified as Shailesh Shankar Prajapati from Vadodara, Ahmedkha Chhotukha Garasiya from Garadi, Talha Ismail Patel from Jambusar, Kirtan Bharat Brahmbhatt from Vadodara, Arvind Ambu Vasava from Tilakwada, Mohsin Akhtar Shaikh from Virpur, Amit Ramesh Panchal from Vadodara, Rahul Manu Kahar from Vadodara, Muzammil Mayuddin Mansuri from Dabhoi, and Zakir Kalu Malek from Choranda.
Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the two fugitive suspects who were operating the gambling den.
Further actions are anticipated as part of the state's crackdown on illegal activities.
Gujarat has seen numerous significant incidents related to gambling recently, emphasizing the state's ongoing initiatives to combat illegal betting.
In Ahmedabad, during the Janmashtami celebrations, law enforcement intensified their operations against gambling.
These efforts resulted in the booking of 632 individuals and the seizure of assets exceeding Rs 60 lakh.
The operations encompassed all seven zones under the Ahmedabad City Police and the crime branch, yielding 113 registered cases.
Zone 5, which includes areas like Bapunagar, Gomtipur, Rakhiyal, Amraiwadi, Khokhara, Nikol, Odhav, and Ramol, reported the highest number of cases at 33. This was followed by 29 cases in Zone 4, 20 cases in Zone 2, and 11 cases in Zone 1.
The eastern part of the city witnessed the most significant activity, with 69 cases filed, while 44 cases originated from Sector 1 on the western side.
In Zone 4, which covers areas like Dariyapur, Shahibaug, Krishnanagar, Meghaninagar, Naroda, and Sardarnagar, 201 individuals were apprehended, marking the highest arrests in a single zone.
In another notable operation, the Prevention of Crime Branch (PCB) in Ahmedabad dismantled a high-stakes gambling ring at a residential property near Khodiyar Farm on Ognaj Road.
This raid led to the arrest of 16 individuals and the confiscation of assets totaling Rs 23.4 lakh.
The seized items included Rs 7.2 lakh in cash, 18 mobile phones valued at Rs 4.61 lakh, three two-wheelers, a four-wheeler worth Rs 11.5 lakh, 104 playing cards, and seven card boxes.
This operation was reportedly orchestrated by Dilipbhai Amrutlal Patel, the owner of the Khodiyar Farm property.
The arrested individuals were from Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and surrounding areas.
They have been charged under the Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act, with investigations ongoing to uncover potential links to a broader network extending beyond Ahmedabad.
