Halvad police busted a gambling den in Surendranagar and arrested 18 persons, including two prominent BJP leaders.

Based on a tip-off, the cops raided the Lakeview Guest House on Halvad-Maliya highway, where people were involved in gambling. BJP general secretary Bharat Vadhrekiya of Halvad taluka and former BJP president of Halvad, Vallabh Khavadiya, were among those arrested from the scene.

While two offenders managed to flee the scene, the police seized ₹2.02 lakh in cash, and have initiated legal action under Public Gambling Act.

Post the incident, BJP has suspended both the leaders for two years.

Vadhrekiya and Khavadiya are believed to be close to Dhrangadra BJP MLA Prakash Varmora, as the three of them make frequent public appearances together.

The arrested accused have been identified as Bharat Vadhrekiya, Vallabh Khavadiya, Allaudin Mahmad, Mehboob Nathu, Zakir Dawood, Mohsin Habib, Irfan Yunus, Divyesh Kishor, Rasid Juma, Faiyaz Yakub, Shabir Jusak, Tohid Ajit, Razak Akbar, Javid Abdul, Imran Hanif, Siraz Saleman, Aslam Salim.

Two others, Nilesh Gami and Pankaj Gothi, fled the spot.

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