18 people were arrested by Pimpri-Chinchwad police for allegedly running a gambling operation near court in Pimpri area.
The police recovered Rupees 54,370 in cash, seven mobile phones, and other supplies like pens and printouts used for gambling, all worth Rs 85,390.
The owner of the network was identified as Vinaykumar alias Palya Ram Sahajivan Kurmi (36), a resident of Laltopinagar area of Pimpri, reported Hindustan Times (October 14, 2020).
Officials from Pimpri-Chinchwad Police stated that, “The social security squad was working towards gathering information with an intention of reducing illegal businesses when, on October 12, an anonymous informant provided information about Kalyan matka gambling operation in the circus ground of Laltopinagar” reported HT.
Police have registered a case under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, Section 12(a) of Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act, Section 3 of Epidemic Diseases Act, and under the National Disaster Management Act also.
The accused were also found to be in violation of Maharashtra COVID-19 restrictions.