Puri police crackdown on gambling ahead of Diwali; 14 arrested, Rs 7.71L cash seized

In a major crackdown on illegal gambling ahead of the Diwali festivities, the Puri Police on Sunday arrested 14 individuals and seized Rs 7.71 lakh in cash during a raid at Khadipada area in Puri district. Acting on credible intelligence, a team from Sadar Police Station conducted the operation and busted the gambling den, which was allegedly operating covertly in the locality.

According to police reports, the raid resulted in the recovery of a substantial amount of cash suspected to be the proceeds from the gambling activities. In addition to the money, six motorcycles and two four-wheelers used by the gamblers were also confiscated from the site. The arrested individuals have been booked under relevant sections of the law, and further investigations are underway to determine the extent of the gambling network.

Also Read: Illegal gambling den busted in Odisha’s Bhanjanagar; 19 arrested, Rs 4 lakh cash seized

However, the main accused managed to flee the spot before the raid, and efforts are currently on to trace and apprehend him. Police sources indicate that the racket may have been operating for several weeks, targeting local residents during the festive season.

It may be recalled that in July this year, the Odisha Police had conducted a similar raid on a gambling den in a dense forest near Patadhar village under Jagannathprasad police limits in Ganjam district, where 19 individuals were arrested and Rs 4 lakh in cash, along with vehicles, were seized. The latest operation underscores the state police’s ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal gambling activities that often surge during festive periods across Odisha.

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