Cop suspended for gambling den 'links'

Nashik: The police headquarters has suspended a constable attached with the Mumbai Naka branch after he was arrested on Thursday for allegedly gambling with 40 others.Kailash Chavan from the detection branch was nabbed during the raid, the biggest on a gambling den so far, during when police seized Rs 5.71 lakh cash.During the raid on the den, which operated opposite the Mumbai Naka police station, also found senior police inspector Bajirao Mahajan involved in the racket. He was posted with the control room.Deputy commissioner of police (headquarters/traffic) Vijay Patil said Chavan and Mahajan have been taken to task for alleged misconduct. Police said though the constable tried to flee during the raid, he was eventually caught. "Chavan has been suspended, while Mahajan will face a departmental inquiry. It was learnt that Mahajan knew about the gambling den but did not take any action. Further action would be taken against him if inquiry and investigations reveal his involvement in the crime," Patil said. Deputy commissioner of police (zone I) Laxmikant Patil said, "The Bhadrakali police have received more information and are investigating about similar dens in areas under their jurisdiction. Police will find out if other officials from the police station are involved in the gambling dens and have not come forward."As many as 99 policemen, including several senior personnel, have been suspended in the last four years and five of them have been dismissed for various reasons. This year, seven police officials, including Chavan, have been suspended on disciplinary grounds.