Udupi: Twenty-six persons were arrested after police raided an alleged gambling operation being run from a room at a private resort in Puttige, Perdoor village, under the jurisdiction of Hiriyadka police station. The raid, carried out on the night of July 7, led to the seizure of cash, vehicles, mobile phones and other materials allegedly used for illegal gambling.
Police said they have also initiated steps to cancel the licence of the resort for allegedly allowing gambling activities on its premises. A case has been registered, and further investigation is in progress.
Raid conducted on credible information
According to the police, the operation was launched after officers received credible information about gambling being conducted inside a room at the private resort.
A police team raided the premises on the night of July 7 and allegedly found several persons participating in an “Andar-Bahar” gambling game.
All 26 individuals present at the location were taken into custody during the operation.
26 persons arrested
The arrested persons have been identified as Satish (49) of Uliyaragoli, Kaup; Akshay (31) and Lohith of Moodbidri; Madhava Poojary of Belapu; Santosh of Kanajaru; Shiva of Uchila; Abdul Hameed and Haroon of Shirva; Ashok of Udupi; and Shailesh.
Others arrested from Kaup have been identified as Dinesh, Prashanth, Akshay, Dinesh, Bharat, Arun, Roshan, Charan, Manish, Ranjith, Yadav, Pruthvin, Shiva, Deepak, Vitesh and Krishna.
Police said all the accused were allegedly involved in the gambling activity when the raid was conducted.
Cash, vehicles and mobile phones seized
During the raid, police seized ₹1,31,630 in cash allegedly used in the gambling operation.
They also recovered playing cards, 25 mobile phones valued at approximately ₹2 lakh, five cars, three motorcycles, and tables and chairs allegedly used for organising the gambling game.
The total value of the seized property has been estimated at around ₹16.5 lakh, excluding the cash recovered during the operation.
The seized materials have been taken into police custody as part of the investigation.
Resort licence cancellation proposed
Police stated that action would be initiated to cancel the licence of the private resort for allegedly permitting illegal gambling on its premises.
Officials said the establishment could face further legal proceedings depending on the outcome of the investigation.
Authorities reiterated that property owners and business operators are responsible for ensuring that their premises are not used for unlawful activities.
Investigation under way
A case has been registered at Hiriyadka police station under the relevant provisions of law, and further investigation is under way to ascertain whether additional persons were involved in organising the gambling activity.
Police are also examining the role of the resort management in connection with the alleged offence.
Police team led the operation
The raid was conducted under the directions of Udupi Sub-Division Deputy Superintendent of Police Belliyappa K and in-charge Deputy Superintendent of Police Vijay Prasad.
The operation was carried out under the guidance of Brahmavar Circle Inspector Gopikrishna by PSI Puneeth Kumar B. E. (Law and Order), PSI Vitthal Malavadkar (Investigation), and police personnel Praveen Rai, Praveen Shetty, Yatheesh, Krishna Poojary, Ullas, Channesh and Karthik, along with jeep driver Shantaram Shetty.
Police said investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the alleged gambling operation.