Eight held for gambling at hotel near Geeta Mandir in Ahmedabad

The Ahmedabad Crime Branch on Monday night raided a hotel room near Bhulabhai Char Rasta on Geeta Mandir Road and arrested eight persons allegedly involved in gambling activities under the Gambling Act.

The raid was carried out at Room No. 422 on the fourth floor of Hotel Malwa Residency near Bhulabhai Char Rasta after the Crime Branch received specific information that a group of persons had gathered there to play 'Harjeet', a gambling game involving money transactions through Ganjifa cards.

A Crime Branch team, reached the hotel around 8.30 pm and found eight men allegedly gambling inside the room.

The accused were identified as Yunush Gafarbhai Ismailbhai Nagani (62), Haroon Umarbhai Qureshi (38), Arif Rahimbhai Khimani (45), Mohammad Atif Arifbhai Sheikh (31), Altafbhai Abubhai Ganiyani (35), Tosif Kadarbhai Lohia (26), Paras Dilipbhai Rathod (31) and Avinash Manishbhai Bhil (28).

Police said cash amounting to ₹45,530 was recovered from the accused, while betting money of ₹17,500 was allegedly found lying on the bed along with 52 Ganjifa playing cards. Seven mobile phones collectively valued at ₹64,000 and additional cash were also seized during the operation.

In total, articles worth ₹1.27 lakh were recovered and seized as muddamal, police said.

Investigators stated that during questioning, the accused admitted that they knew each other and had assembled at the hotel for gambling for financial gain.

A case has been registered under Sections of the Gambling Act, and further investigation is on.