In a significant operation against digital gambling, the Ajni Police in Nagpur executed a series of late-night raids, leading to the arrest of two dozen individuals involved in an illicit online betting network. The crackdown, which unfolded on Monday night, stemmed from a specific intelligence input about gambling activities in the area.
Tip-Off Leads to Initial Arrest in Rup Nagar
Acting swiftly on received information, a team from Ajni Police Station targeted an alley located in the Amrapali Garden area of Rup Nagar. The operation zeroed in on a 21-year-old individual, identified as Vishwas Deshbhratar, a resident of Shramjeevi Nagar in Ajni. Officers caught Deshbhratar in the act, placing bets using his mobile phone.
Upon questioning, the police uncovered crucial details about the operation's scale. Deshbhratar confessed to receiving and forwarding 'khaiwadi' or bet slips through the popular messaging platform WhatsApp. He was sending these slips to a contact known only as Samrat.
Second Raid Unearths Larger Network in New Manish Nagar
The interrogation of the first suspect provided a vital breakthrough. The information about the WhatsApp-based betting chain prompted police to extend their operation to another location. Following the leads, authorities conducted a subsequent raid in the New Manish Nagar area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Beltarodi Police Station.
This second operation proved even more fruitful. Law enforcement officials successfully apprehended an additional 23 accused persons at this location, significantly widening the scope of the bust. The coordinated actions across two police limits exposed a more extensive network than initially anticipated.
A Decisive Blow Against Illegal Gambling Operations
The late-night raids on Monday represent a decisive move by the Nagpur Police to curb the rising menace of illegal online betting in the city. The arrest of a total of 24 individuals in one night sends a strong message about zero tolerance for such activities. The modus operandi, heavily reliant on mobile phones and encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp, highlights the evolving nature of gambling rackets adapting to technology.
Police have seized mobile phones and other electronic devices believed to have been used in the betting operations. Investigations are ongoing to trace the masterminds, including the key contact named Samrat, and to unravel the full financial scale of the network. The accused are likely to face charges under relevant sections of the Public Gambling Act and other applicable laws.
