Police busted a major illegal gambling racket operating out of a hotel room in the industrial city of Durgapur in West Bengal on the night of Diwali. Acting on a tip-off, law enforcement agencies conducted a sudden raid and caught five individuals red-handed. The detained suspects include a former Trinamool Congress (TMC) councilor, an arrest that has sent shockwaves through local political circles. Authorities recovered 71,000 rupees in cash along with packs of playing cards from the hotel room, highlighting the high stakes involved in the late-night gathering.
Sudden police raid exposes high-stakes gambling inside rented hotel room
According to police sources, the incident took place at a hotel situated near the Viringi area under the jurisdiction of the Durgapur police station. The accused had rented a room in the hotel on Diwali night to carry out illegal gambling activities away from public view. Large sums of money were being wagered as participants played cards inside the locked room. Upon receiving confidential information about the illegal den, the local police station formed a special team and executed a surprise raid on the establishment, leaving the participants with no time to escape.
Former TMC councilor and four others caught red-handed
When police officers entered the hotel room, they found several individuals actively placing bets using playing cards. Five people were immediately taken into custody at the scene. Among those arrested is a former councilor belonging to the Durgapur Municipal Corporation. During the subsequent search, officers seized 71,000 rupees in cash from the gambling table. Senior police officials confirmed that a formal case has been registered under relevant legal provisions and preparations are underway to present all the arrested accused before a court of law.
Local politics heats up following the Diwali night raid
The involvement of a former public representative in a gambling racket during a major festival like Diwali has intensified political tensions in the region, with opposition parties targeting the ruling dispensation. The Durgapur police station has launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident to uncover any broader networks or additional participants. Authorities reiterated that the suspects will face judicial proceedings as the investigation continues to unfold.
