Rivalry among gamblers making Gaddigodam unsafe

Nagpur: The intensifying rivalry among gambling operators seems to be heading towards a volatile situation in Gaddigodam and the questionable role of Sadar police is likely to come under the scanner soon. Apart from the two major dens, there are several smaller ones, too, which have started mushrooming in the locality.

A former murder accused, whose case is being investigated by the state criminal investigation department (CID), is learnt to be the one whose gambling activities near the mutton market (kabella) is the trigger point of the stiff enmity among the similar den operators. The locality, which has earlier seen gambling kingpins like Lanjewar in the past, is once again seeing a spurt now with the local goons being roped in as makeshift bouncers.

Last week, illegal gambling had led to a murder followed by arson in Gujar Nagar near Gangabai ghat in East Nagpur. Police had to toil to bring the situation under control. More than a dozen persons were arrested.

Sources from the locality stated that the former murder accused has started giving competition to the already existing ones in Gaddigodam by offering lucrative returns on wins. Gambling operators like Kanekar, Munna, Nitesh, Bharat, Kacchi, Salim Baba and Shailesh are learnt to be miffed with the murder accused for lowering their business by attracting gamblers with more returns. Salim’s gambling den is located in Khalasi Lines where a notorious bootlegger, identified as Jain, too, is supplying illegal liquor.

TOI has learnt that smaller skirmishes have already taken place in the locality. Some meat sellers too have objected to the gambling operations near their shops as their customers, especially women, are finding it difficult to visit the place due to the illegal activities. According to a local source, the day is not far when there could be a fight between the mutton sellers and the gambling operator’s goons.

Sources in the locality also pointed out that few gambling operators like Bharat and Kacchi have their dens behind the Gaddigodam police chowky.

A major gambling den in Goa colony is being operated by Feroze. It is frequented and protected by some top goons. Feroze is learnt to have erected two hutments adjoining the railway tracks where the gamblers are present for most part of the day with the cops turning a blind eye.

TOI shared the information with Zonal DCP Vinita Shahu who assured of strict action.

When PI Mahesh Bansode of Sadar police station was contacted, he said a raid was conducted at the mutton market following an input received from a local resident but only some ludo players were found. “We need to verify the information regarding the gamblers and act accordingly,” he said. Bansode too was heard sounding positive regarding action against the gamblers.