A major gambling racket operating out of a rented residence in the Prem Nagar area was busted by the Police Station Aberdeen team on July 25, 2025, resulting in the detention of seventeen individuals and the recovery of over ₹61,000 in cash. The operation was carried out following credible intelligence inputs regarding unlawful gambling activity in the area, under the jurisdiction of South Andaman District.
Acting on the tip-off, a raid was conducted at a house near the Telugu Church in Prem Nagar. The residence, rented by an individual identified as Vijay, son of Late Babulall, was being used as the venue for illegal gambling. The operation led to the immediate apprehension of all seventeen individuals who were found actively participating in gambling activities at the time of the raid.
During the search, authorities recovered a total sum of ₹61,100 from the premises. Of this amount, ₹48,700 was identified as stake money being used in the gambling operation, while the remaining ₹12,400 was seized from the personal possession of the individuals involved. All those apprehended have been booked under Sections 5 and 7 of the Andaman and Nicobar Gambling Regulation, 1951.
The police operation was led by the team from Police Station Aberdeen and was conducted under the supervision of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, South Andaman, with overall direction from the Senior Superintendent of Police, South Andaman District. The coordination and execution of the raid were handled internally, in accordance with standard procedure.
The South Andaman District Police has reiterated its commitment to enforcing the law and maintaining vigilance over activities that disrupt public order. In light of this incident, the department has once again appealed to the general public to cooperate in efforts to curb illegal practices by sharing timely information about suspicious or criminal activities occurring in their vicinity.
Residents are encouraged to report such incidents by calling the police helpline number 112 or contacting the police control room through landline numbers 03192-232100, 03192-236641, and 03192-232400. The police have assured that the identity of all informants will remain strictly confidential.
This raid is part of ongoing enforcement operations by law enforcement agencies in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to address social issues arising from gambling, which is considered a punishable offence under regional regulations. Gambling, particularly when operated in densely populated residential areas, raises concerns about law and order and can have adverse effects on the social fabric of the community.
The Police Station Aberdeen has been involved in a series of similar operations in recent months as part of broader efforts to crack down on illegal gambling dens that have been operating covertly in different localities. While the premises in this instance were located in Prem Nagar, police have not ruled out the possibility of such activities being part of a wider network.
Investigations are underway to determine whether the location in Prem Nagar had been used on prior occasions for similar activities or if it served as a temporary venue. Further inquiries may also assess the potential involvement of others who facilitated the gathering.
The police continue to monitor areas prone to repeat offences and have emphasized the need for community participation to effectively curb gambling and associated crimes. The incident in Prem Nagar adds to a growing list of such busts in the district, highlighting the persistent challenge of eliminating gambling operations that adapt quickly to evade detection.
As investigations continue, the police have confirmed that appropriate legal action will follow against all individuals found to be involved, and the matter will be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Gambling Regulation in force across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
