Nagpur police raid matka gambling den in Wadi, arrest 19 including bookie

A special police squad raided a matka and satta gambling den being run openly in the Wadi police station area of Nagpur. Police arrested 19 accused, including the bookie. Goods worth Rs 60,340 were seized from them, including Rs 39,560 in cash.

According to police, the incident took place around 3 pm on Saturday. Assistant Inspector Bhagwan Koli, who heads the special squad, was on patrol when he received information that a man named Mushtaq Ishtiaq Ahmed was taking money from people and running satta-patti and matka gambling near a godown close to the Maratha Savji Bhojanalaya.

On receiving the tip, the police team reached the spot, cordoned off the area and raided the gambling den. The action caused panic among those present.

The team took into custody the bookie, Mushtaq Ishtiaq Ahmed (38), a resident of Sable Layout, Wadi. Among the 19 detained were Gautam Dhoke (51) of Ambedkar Nagar, Vasant Gorewar (70) of Shahu Layout, Dattawadi, and Satish Mehre (22) of Tekdi, Wadi.

During the search, police seized Rs 39,560 in cash and other material linked to satta-matka gambling. The total value of the seized goods was put at Rs 60,340.

A case has been registered at Wadi police station against all the accused under Section 12(A) of the Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act. Police are investigating further.

The operation was carried out by Assistant Inspector Bhagwan Koli, who heads the special squad, Sub-Inspector Satish Meshram and their team.