Ganjam police arrest 52 in festive illegal gambling raids

Ganjam police arrested 52 people and seized Rs 1.45 lakh ($1,529) in cash and five mobile phones in late-night raids across six locations, according to Pragativadi. The operation took place ahead of Kumar Purnima, a period when betting activity has traditionally risen in parts of the district. Police said further investigation is underway.

The locations covered by the raids included Kulada, Bhanjanagar, Tokaganda, Khamaredi and Hatigada. Bhanjanagar IIC Jibanananda Jena said police had been "maintaining strict surveillance on gambling activities in the region for the past several days".

That operation was not the district's only recent enforcement. On 20 October, according to OMMCOM News, roughly 10 gambling dens were targeted in separate raids, leading to 61 arrests; officers recovered Rs 2.19 lakh along with playing cards and five mobile phones. Superintendent of Police Harisha B.C. described the raids as part of a stepped-up campaign during Durga Puja, and he added that the crackdown on illegal gambling and related criminal activity would continue across the district.

In a separate development, the Bombay High Court at Goa directed authorities to designate a road section as a no-parking zone: the route running from the petrol pump close to Panaji Residency up to Panaji Church. Congestion around casino points prompted the order. Justices Valmiki Menezes and Amit Jamsandekar, sitting as the bench, observed that casino-linked movement was aggravating the city's traffic difficulties, especially in the evening hours.