Raigarh: Raigarh police have arrested 29 people and seized ₹9,00,500 in cash during simultaneous raids on two illegal gambling dens in the Kharsia and Kotraroad police station areas.
The action was carried out under Operation Ankush, launched on the directions of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sashi Mohan Singh to crack down on illegal gambling and betting activities across the district.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Additional Superintendent of Police Anil Singh. City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Rahul Uike and Traffic Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Uttam Pratap Singh led the special police team. Cases have been registered against the accused under Section 3(2) of the Chhattisgarh Gambling Prohibition Act.
According to police, intelligence inputs revealed that gambling activities were taking place near the boundary wall of the old Hexa Factory in Ranisagar, under Kharsia police station limits, and near the HP Gas Agency in Tarapur village, under Kotraroad police station limits.
19 Arrested in Ranisagar Raid
Acting on the information, the police team cordoned off the gambling spot in Ranisagar, where people from Kharsia and Gharghoda were allegedly playing cards under a streetlight.
Police caught 19 people red-handed and seized ₹6,07,400 in cash, two decks of playing cards and a plastic mat from the spot.
10 More Arrested in Tarapur
In a separate raid near the HP Gas Agency in Tarapur village, police caught 10 people allegedly gambling by candlelight near a boundary wall.
While some participants managed to escape under the cover of darkness, police apprehended 10 accused red-handed. The team seized ₹2,93,100 in cash and a 52-card deck in the presence of independent witnesses.
Strict Action Against Illegal Gambling to Continue
SSP Sashi Mohan Singh said police would maintain strict surveillance across the district and continue taking firm action against illegal gambling and betting networks.
Kharsia Police Station House Officer Inspector Sitaram Dhruv, Kotraroad SHO Inspector Sheel Aditya Singh, trainee Sub-Inspectors Harsh Chandrakar and Manisha Dhurve, Assistant Sub-Inspector Ashik Ratre and other members of the special police team played an important role in the operation.
