Bingo! Pkl cops unearth mini-casino in Sec 9 house

Panchkula: A mini-casino offering people flush with cash to try their luck in cards and play roulette while sipping expensive whisky and vodka was busted from the basement of a house in Sector 9 here on Monday, with the arrest of six people.
The police carried out a raid after receiving a tip-off about the illegal operation from the residential area.Cops seized Rs 1.27 lakh, two casino tables, 40 sets of playing cards, a roulette and around 1,500 chips used as money while playing. The accused were identified as Gaurav alias Nitu, a resident of Dhakauli in Punjab), Ankit Wadhwan of Sector 36, Chandigarh, Mrinal Manna of Chandimandir, Sahajpal alias Naveen of Bathinda in Punjab), Virender Joshi alias Biroo and Prakash Joshi, both residents of Champawat in Uttarakhand). Police said they used to pay Rs 20,000 as rent for the basement to house owner M R Singh, who resided in Karnal.
The accused were running the business for last six to seven months and their clients were mostly youngsters from the Tricity.
Inspector Sandeep Mor of crime branch II said, "The accused had the complete set-up of a casino. Their customers were rich people."
The police booked the accused under charges of gambling and have started investigation to find out if more such places were being operated in and around the city.
Ambala-Panchkula commissioner of police Dr RC Mishra said, "We are seeking more details from the accused and trying to identify if there are more such sites in the city. We will also check whether the owner of the house was involved or not."
Mishra also requested residents to verify their tenants with the police and provide any kind of information to the cops as support of citizens is must to complete any action by the cops and details given by the residents will help them in nabbing more accused which will help them in lower down the crime from the district.
ITEMS SEIZED
Rs 1.27 lakh
2 casino tables
40 sets of playing cards
Roulette
1,500 chips (used as money while playing)
‘Lakhs spent in minutes'
Inspector Sandeep Mor of crime branch II said, "People with deep pockets used to come and gamble at the mini-casino in Sector 9 of Panchkula. They used to spend money in lakhs in one-go. We are trying to identify how many used to visit the place regularly. We are also attempting to find out the profit of the mini-casino and if there are more such places in the city."
Customer check
You could not just show up and walk into this mini-casino in Sector 9 of Panchkula. Only limited number of people were invited. Police sources said the accused allowed entry to youngsters they knew or their friends. The place used to be open for specific hours on particular days to avoid the suspicion of neighbours and police. Alcohol used to be served inside.