Face2News/Panchkula 

In a major breakthrough under Operation Hotspot Domination, Panchkula Police raided and busted an illegal gambling and betting hub operating in Industrial Phase-1. A total of 18 individuals were arrested, and ₹66,070 in cash, along with gambling-related equipment, was recovered from the spot.

DCP Crime & Traffic Manpreet Singh Soodan said that Crime Branch Sector-19 had received a tip-off that a gambling racket was actively running in the area, luring locals with promises of quick profit through illegal number-betting. Acting on the information, a special team led by In-charge Mukesh Saini was formed, which conducted a raid late on December 8. 

The team arrested the main bookies running the operation: Parshuram, son of Agan Lal, resident of Mauli Jagran, Chandigarh, Johny, son of Naresh Kumar, Rajiv Colony, Sector-17, Panchkula, Sangram Singh, son of Late Ramkarn Singh, Village Atawa, Chandigarh, Ajay Kumar, son of Munna Lal, Mauli Jagran, Chandigarh, Praveen, son of Shesh Narayan, Mauli Complex, Chandigarh

13 Gamblers Also Apprehended : During the raid, police also nabbed 13 individuals found participating in the illegal betting activity. They were identified as Gurmeet Singh, Ashish Rawat, Suresh, Ravindra, Ashok, Ram Vilas Gupta, Ram Kishan, Rajal Kumar, Ashok, Shravan Kumar, Jitendra Rawat, Dharmendra Kumar and Vijay Kumar. All accused have been booked under the Gambling Act and arrested as per legal procedure.

Police Commissioner Panchkula Shivas Kaviraj (ADGP) said, “Operation Hotspot Domination aims to identify and crack down on all zones prone to illegal activities. Gambling and betting harm communities by causing financial and psychological distress. Panchkula Police follow a zero-tolerance policy, and such activities will not be allowed under any circumstances.”