Odisha Police Ganjam Gambling Crackdown, Raids: 470 arrested, over ₹12.65 lakh seized ahead of Kumar Purnima
Odisha Police arrested 470 people in Ganjam and Berhampur and seized over ₹12.65 lakh in a pre-Kumar Purnima gambling crackdown.Summary
Odisha Police arrested 470 people over two days in Ganjam and Berhampur police districts during a major crackdown on gambling ahead of Kumar Purnima, which falls five days after Dussehra and will be celebrated on October 25 this year. On Wednesday night, 167 people were arrested and more than ₹5.56 lakh was seized in connection with 32 gambling cases. On Thursday, 250 people were arrested and ₹7.09 lakh was seized in Ganjam police district, while Berhampur Police busted 10 gambling dens, arrested 53 people, and seized additional cash and equipment. All accused were booked under the Orissa Prevention of Gambling Act, and local reports noted eight more arrests in a late-night raid on Friday. Police said the crackdown would continue, with Ganjam SP Harish BC and Berhampur SP Abhinav Sonkar stating that people have been advised against illegal activities and police stations instructed to act against gambling dens. Last week, at least 71 people were arrested, including businessmen, government employees, and an ex-cop from Andhra Pradesh, and police seized over ₹12.03 lakh cash, 954 playing cards, 102 betting tokens, a currency-counting machine, 60 mobile phones, and nine four-wheelers. Despite being illegal under the Orissa Prevention of Gambling Act, 1955, gambling is a deep-rooted cultural practice in Ganjam and Berhampur during Kumar Purnima.
(Source：Livemint)