Ahmedabad, August 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A major gambling raid at Manpasand Gymkhana in Ahmedabad has uncovered what investigators describe as a sophisticated betting network allegedly designed to conceal cash movement, evade enforcement agencies and project illegal card games as routine club activities.
The Gujarat Police’s State Monitoring Cell (SMC) had raided the Dariyapur-based premises on Sunday following a verified intelligence input, apprehending 187 people in one of the state’s biggest gambling crackdowns in recent years.
Officials said the latest action was the third major raid at the same location in five years. The SMC had earlier conducted a raid in 2021, arresting 183 people, while the Ahmedabad Crime Branch recovered the premises in 2023 and detained 27 persons after the club had resumed operations.
According to investigators, the SMC verified the intelligence input for nearly 25 to 30 minutes before launching the operation. Five teams comprising around 20 to 25 personnel were formed, with officers approaching the congested area separately to prevent those inside from escaping.
Investigators said the gambling activity was not visible from the main entrance. Players allegedly accessed a first-floor hall where around 20 to 22 tables had been arranged for card games. The premises were equipped with CCTV cameras, including surveillance of the approach road, allowing those inside to monitor visitors.
The police investigation has revealed an alleged coded payment system. Officials said players deposited money at a ground-floor office and received handwritten slips carrying coded amounts instead of actual figures. For instance, a deposit of Rs 5,000 was allegedly represented as “50” on the slip.
These slips were reportedly used upstairs, where writers maintained registers recording players’ names and coded balances. Each table accommodated around six players, with operators allegedly earning Rs 300 per game.
Investigators believe the arrangement was designed to avoid direct recovery of cash during raids. Although 187 people were present, police recovered only around Rs 3.30 lakh, which officials believe does not represent the actual scale of betting transactions.
The probe has now expanded to examine UPI transactions, bank accounts and digital payment trails to determine the financial extent of the operation. Nine accused, including alleged operators, have been taken into police custody for further investigation.
Police allege the operation was managed by Govind alias Gamo Patel, identified as the director of Manpasand Club and the main accused. Officials said the gambling tables were allegedly rented out to individuals including Kishor Padhiyar, Satish Thakkar, Mulrajsinh alias Mulubha Rana, Dinesh Bhavsar, Anand Thakor, Laxman Parmar, Sattar Vora, Hussain Sipai and Salim Mansuri.
Investigators estimate that each table generated rental income of around Rs 12,000 to Rs 15,000, while operators allegedly maintained networks of regular gamblers who were informed whenever games were organised.
Police are also examining the club’s membership records after Patel reportedly claimed that those present were members gathered only for recreational purposes. Officials said verification of documents would determine whether the claim withstands investigation.
The alleged gambling sessions attracted people not only from Ahmedabad areas such as Maninagar and Ranip but also from places like Kalol. Police said games allegedly continued for extended periods, depending on player availability.
Among those detained, around 10 to 11 individuals reportedly had previous criminal cases registered against them. However, investigators said the current focus remains on identifying those allegedly running the operation rather than only those participating in games.
The accused have been booked under provisions of the Gujarat Prevention of Gambling Act, which deals with operating common gaming houses, gambling activities and police powers to search and seize such premises.
The investigation is ongoing to determine whether additional persons connected with the ownership, management or financial benefits of the operation were involved.
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