Mumbai: A police team from Mira Road’s Naya Nagar police station crisscrossed its jurisdiction to raid a notorious “matka” den (gambling joint) in the rural area of Bhayandar west late on Thursday night. The police nabbed 14 accused, who were booked under the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act.
After receiving a tip-off about the gambling activities, Thane (rural) superintendent of police Dr Mahesh Patil deputed a special squad led by senior police inspector Vaibhav Shingare to raid a tenement in Murdha village which is believed to be the den from where the ‘Kalyan Matka’ operations were being run. The police team rounded up 14 people and booked them under sections 4 (A) and 5 of the Bombay Prevention of Gambling Act. While two of the accused are operators, the other twelve were caught red-handed while placing bets.
However, the owner of the premises identified as Jaywant Patil managed to evade the police. Gambling material and cash amounting Rs 2,900 was seized from the spot. All the accused were handed over to the Bhayandar police station. Locals alleged that several people including those with a criminal background, liquor addicts and nuisance-makers visited the matka den daily, making the area unsafe for others.
