In yet another decisive strike against organised crime, Rourkela Police have busted a major inter-state gambling den operating right on the Odisha-Jharkhand border, recovering a staggering ₹28.39 lakh in cash along with gold and silver ornaments, luxury vehicles and other gambling paraphernalia.
Acting on specific intelligence about regular high-stakes gambling sessions in Luakera village under Sector-15 Police Station, a team led by senior officers conducted a late-night raid and caught the entire operation red-handed.
Two local residents — Bahana Kansari (48) and Dilip Kansari (59) — were arrested on the spot. Both men hail from the same village and, according to preliminary investigation, already have prior gambling cases registered against them at Bandamunda and Bisra police stations.
The haul was impressive: ₹28,39,400 in cash, 405 grams of gold ornaments, 600 grams of silver ornaments, three four-wheelers, four motorcycles, mobile phones, polythene bags used for packing cash, and a sophisticated cash-counting machine. Police suspect the syndicate was running a well-oiled cross-border gambling network that attracted players from both Odisha and Jharkhand.
Senior officers described the operation as part of the state police’s relentless campaign against illegal activities. “This is not just a local gambling joint — it was an inter-state racket. Our teams acted swiftly and the investigation is now focused on identifying the bigger players and their network,” a police spokesperson said.
The arrests and seizures have sent a strong message across the region. With the state police vowing to maintain zero tolerance, officials confirmed that further raids and legal action against all those linked to the syndicate are underway.
In the coming days, the Odisha Police have promised intensified drives against gambling dens, organised crime and all forms of illegal activities, reinforcing the government’s commitment to a crime-free state.
