Nagpur: The Unit 3 team of the Crime Branch has busted an illegal online lottery and betting racket operating under the jurisdiction of Shantinagar Police Station in Nagpur city. During the operation, police arrested two accused and seized gambling-related equipment and electronic devices worth ₹2.93 lakh.

According to police officials, the raid was conducted at a location in Lalganj's Chakna Chowk area. The accused were allegedly accepting money from members of the public and facilitating betting activities through a government-banned online lottery platform for their personal financial gain.

The arrested accused have been identified as Sachin Dilip Rahagdale (21), a resident of Navin Nagar in Pardi, and Aniket Moreshwar Vakalakar (21), also a resident of Navin Nagar, Pardi. Police are currently searching for a third accused, Sagar Liladhar Dhananjode, who remains absconding.

During the raid, the Crime Branch seized four computers, four CPUs, seven gaming machines, two slip-printing machines, a router, keyboards, a calculator, chairs and other materials used in the gambling operation. Police also recovered two mobile phones and cash amounting to ₹1,830. The total value of the seized property has been estimated at ₹2,93,740.

Based on the findings, a case has been registered at Shantinagar Police Station under Crime Register No. 121/26 for offences punishable under Sections 4 and 5 of the Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act. Police stated that the accused were running the illegal betting operation by collecting money from customers and allowing them to place bets on an online lottery system prohibited by the government.

The accused and the seized property have been handed over to Shantinagar Police Station for further legal proceedings. Police officials said the investigation is ongoing to uncover the full extent of the gambling network and identify any other persons involved. Efforts are also underway to trace and arrest the absconding accused.