Nagpur: Belatarodi Police scored a major success on Holi, March 3 after receiving reliable information around 5 PM about illegal gambling activities taking place inside a first-floor room at Rangari’s residence on DP Road, Manish Nagar, within the police station limits.

Acting swiftly, the investigation team conducted a raid in the presence of panch witnesses and caught ten individuals red-handed while they were betting money on playing cards for personal financial gain.

The accused have been identified as Ganesh Yoginath Nikose (39), resident of Old Sakkardara, Bhandepplot; Akshay Shyamrao Chimankar (32), Subhedar Nagar, Hudkeshwar; Dinesh Gyaneshwar Waghmare (41), Anand Nagar, Sakkardara; Saurabh Damodhar Shende (40), Om Nagar, Sakkardara; Tekchand alias Prashant Sadashiv Surkar (31), Bapu Nagar, Sakkardara; Kapil Prakash Shingare (38), Kawon Society, Manish Nagar; Vivek Vijerav Shastri (35), Nehru Nagar, Sakkardara; Avinash Jageshwar Kohle (32), Shivan Gaon Rehabilitation, Nagpur; Amol Sukhdev Yewale (22), Nehru Nagar, Tiranga Chowk; and Chetan Bhagwan Bedi (39), Hasanbagh Chowk, Nandanvan.

Police seized a total of ₹3,26,250, including ₹19,600 cash, ten mobile phones, six two-wheelers, playing cards and other gambling articles. A criminal case has been registered against all accused under Sections 4 and 5 of the Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act at Belatarodi Police Station.

The operation was carried out under the guidance of DCP Rashmita Rao (Zone 4) and ACP Narendra Hivare (Ajni Division), and executed by PI Mukund Kawade, API Pankaj Kakde, PSI Kishor Malokar, HC Sunendra Bopche, PC Suhas Shingane and PC Vivek Shripad.

Further investigation is in progress.