Berhampur: Paralakhemundi police in Gajapati district busted an organised gambling den and arrested 71 persons, including gamblers and organisers, on Monday. Acting on a tip-off, a police team raided a private Kalyana Mandap, where the illegal operation was being run by a person from Andhra Pradesh on Sunday night. Police seized over Rs 12.03 lakh in cash, nine cars, 60 mobile phones, 954 playing cards and 102 betting tokens, said Prasant Bhupati, inspector-in-charge of Paralakhemundi police station.Of those arrested, six were from Andhra Pradesh, including a retired police officer from Srikakulam and two organisers. Two others were govt employees, while the rest included retired employees and businessmen. Police registered a case under the Odisha Prevention of Gambling (OPG) Act and BNS section 112, Bhupati said. The inquiry revealed that T Nageswar Rao of Andhra Pradesh was the main organiser. He had rented the Kalyana Mandap and was assisted by B Prasad and seven associates, allegedly with the building owner’s consent, for six to seven months.Police said efforts were on to arrest others involved. Besides locals, people from across the district and Andhra Pradesh allegedly visited the border town every night to gamble. Residents welcomed the action, calling illegal gambling a growing menace. Police said surveillance and raids would continue.
