PMC gym in Mayor’s area, developed by BJP minister Bapat’s funds, turns into flourishing matka den

The matka den in a PMC building in Narayan Peth.

At the parking lot of a building owned by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), which was developed as a ‘gymnasium’ by the government, an illegal matka (gambling) den is flourishing. Among the political leaders who contributed development funds for the building are a few corporators as well as BJP MLA Girish Bapat, who is the district guardian minister, and minister for food and civic supplies, consumer protection and parliamentary affairs. The ‘gym’ is located in a residential part of Narayan Peth, near the famous Kabirbag Math Sanstha, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Prabhag 15. The four corporators who won the civic election from this Prabhag are all from the BJP, and one of them is Mayor Mukta Tilak.

Despite complaints from local residents, the matka den continues to operate, while the gym remains shut.

The building is walking distance from Bapat’s residence and located close to the police chowkies of both Narayan Peth and Shaniwar Peth.
A team from The Indian Express visited the matka centre on Wednesday and paid Rs 10 for a ‘single patti’ of ‘Kalyan Open’ matka.

The gambling den has two entry points, one from the Kabirbag side and the other from the side of a public urinal on the river bed. A few persons at the spot performed an array of functions, from collecting money to handing out numbers to the matka players. While the game was on, they sat on benches erected with development funds given by Mayor Mukta Tilak.

A board put up at the building mentions that Rs 9,94,028: 03 was spent from MLA Girish Bapat’s local development work funds for the year 2014-2015, for the construction of a floor for the ‘gymnasium’. The board mentions that work started on October 14, 2015, and was completed on March 31, 2016. The board mentions PMC as the ‘Karyanvayin Yantrana’ (official machinery) for this work.

A local resident, who didn’t want to be named, said, “A few years ago, then corporator Shivali Mavale first developed this place into a gym and named it Shivaji Vyayamshala. Later, then BJP corporator Vikas Mathkari provided his development fund for installation of gym equipment, which are nowhere to be seen now. Then, MLA Girish Bapat’s development funds were used to build a floor for the gym, and it was inaugurated last year, in his presence. The local Ganesh Mandal was entrusted the task of running the gym. But a matka centre, run by a local man, flourished here… it is extremely disturbing for local residents, particularly women.”

“Some residents have shifted their children to schools in other localities, because of the presence of this centre, which is visited by a number of alcoholics, gamblers and trouble-makers. Some women had even complained to Tilak, but nothing happened after that. It is hard to believe that police, corporators, even minister Bapat are not aware of the existence of the matka den… the local residents are afraid of the criminal elements associated with the matka centre,” he said.

When queried on the issue, Mayor Mukta Tilak admitted that she was aware of the matka centre operating for many months and, after receiving complaints from locals, had informed police about it. “But police have not reverted yet… I will check with them again,” she told The Indian Express.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone I) Basavraj Teli said he had not come across any such complaint, but that would look into the matter.
Assistant Municipal Commissioner Madhav Deshpande, head of the PMC’s Kasba Vishrambagwada ward office, said, “I joined this office only four months ago, and have not received any complaint against such a matka den in my area. If anything illegal is taking place here, we will take action.”
Despite repeated attempts, Bapat could not be reached for comment.