In a high-stakes operation, local authorities brought an illegal casino operating under the cover of darkness in a south Delhi farmhouse to an abrupt end. Located on Dera Mandi Road, the clandestine operation saw a considerable footfall under the thoughtful guise of a venue recognized for hosting opulent wedding ceremonies.
Using the password, “guruji,” a horde of guests trickled their way into the farmhouse. Inside, they engaged in high-stakes games such as roulette, blackjack, and poker, where defeats could run into lakhs or even crores. As the stakes escalated, they were served premium liquor and variety of flavoured hookahs, with the victorious reveling in their wins to the rhythmic tunes of jazz and blues.
Acting on a trusted tip-off, Delhi Police’s Crime Branch intervened, raiding the alleged location in the late hours of Thursday. The incursion led to the apprehension of 47 people, inhabited mainly by local businessmen, builders, and property dealers counted among the clientele. Five culprits believed to be involved in organising the illicit activities were arrested shortly after.
A part of the casino’s allure was established by deploying women to serve liquor and game tokens to guests amongst other there duties. A total of 20 women were found present during the raid. A senior officer added that the women were hired and financially compensated by the organisers to entertain guests, further details regarding their role are currently being compiled.
Confirming the high-value seizure, Ravindra Yadav, the Special Commissioner of Crime, reported that they had confiscated a combination of Rs 8 lakh in cash, casino tables, game tokens, illegal liquor, music systems and hookahs among other items.
Per the Municipal authorities, the operation was executed after Inspectors Satender Mohan, Pawan, and Mahipal procured reliable information suggesting the presence of an illicit casino in Chhatarpur. The undisclosed sources helped in forming a special task force, ultimately culminating in a successful raid.
The apprehended organisers, identified as Amit Kumar, Satender Sehgal, Sahil Gujral, Tejinder Singh, and Mithun Taneja, disclosed on questioning that the unlicensed casino was being conducted at a rented farmhouse under the jurisdiction of Fatehpur Beri police station. Advanced measures were taken to cater only to known participants with stringent entry guidelines.
Each gaming table could accommodate up to eight players simultaneously, using game tokens purchased or loaned from the organisers directly. The tokens won could be cashed out at a predetermined location the following day. Law enforcement officials were also able to confirm that four different types of tokens, ranging in value from 500 to 10,000, were used within the operation.
