Daijiworld Media Network - Alibag

Alibag, Feb 22: In a major operation against illegal gambling, Raigad Police, led by SP Somnath Gharge, launched a crackdown on matka betting in Alibag, Pen, and Poynad, resulting in multiple arrests and seizures of cash and gambling materials.

Acting on a tip-off, SP Gharge instructed Police Inspector Balasaheb Khade of the Local Crime Branch (LCB) to take swift action. On Friday, seven teams, comprising three officers and 18 personnel, conducted raids at targeted locations.

In Alibag, six locations were found involved in illegal gambling, leading to six cases being registered under Section 12(A) of the Maharashtra Gambling Act. Several individuals, including Ramesh Chavan (40), Ravindra Ingole (49), and Mahesh Patil (38), were arrested.

Further raids in Poynad and Pen resulted in additional arrests. In Poynad, Rajesh Kadam (54) and Prakash Mokal (56) were held, while in Pen, Vinod Deshmukh (36) was apprehended.

Inspector Khade stated that all accused are being interrogated for further links. Police teams, including API Bhaskar Jadhav and PSI Anil Gosavi, played key roles in the crackdown. The operation is part of an ongoing effort to eliminate illegal gambling networks in the region.