Conducting regular raids against matka: Government assures high court of Bombay

PANAJI: The state government has informed the high court of Bombay at Goa that various police stations, including the crime branch, have booked a total of 2,937 cases, arrested 3,112 persons and seized Rs 98.7 lakh during raids on matka businesses between October 2015 and April 2019.
Petitioner Kashinath Shetye informed the court that the illegal business continues in the state despite these raids, pointing to an alleged nexus. Instead of “small raids being conducted” he said, matka businesses should be investigated by the CBI.
Public prosecutor, S R Rivankar, informed the court that daily raids are conducted and that gambling has moved online. To this, Shetye said that while businesses were being run online, the matka numbers were generated offline and that matka operators continue from the same places after they are booked.
The court had ordered a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the matka business and submit their reports to the court from time to time. Over five months, between December 2018 and April this year, 441 cases were booked, 482 persons arrested and Rs 7 lakhs seized, the court was informed. Rivankar said that police cases are registered and that “strict action against the matka gambling menace” continues.
The court was informed that when the SIT receives information on matka activities, it is passed on to the crime branch and the local police station after verification. Thereafter, raids are conducted with the help of SIT personnel. Those involved are booked under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act (GDDPG Act). The court is expected to pass orders on the matter soon.