Indore, March 11 – Madhya Pradesh Police announced on Wednesday that they had cracked a major gambling operation at a farmhouse located under the Manpur police station in Mhow, Indore district, by arresting nearly 18 people and seizing a large sum of cash.
The police stated that they received information about large-scale gambling taking place at the Kothi Niwas farmhouse in Ambalipura village in Mhow town. Following this, a raid was conducted early Wednesday morning.
Confirming the report, Manpur SHO Lokendra Hiror told IANS that at least 18 gamblers were arrested on the spot, while some managed to escape, taking advantage of the darkness. During the operation, police also seized more than Rs 1.36 lakh in cash, along with playing cards and several mobile phones.
Notably, the farmhouse is owned by a senior IAS officer, Vandana Vaidya, who is currently serving as Managing Director (MD) of the Finance Development Corporation of the state government in Indore district.
Lokendra Hiror further said that when the police team arrived at the farmhouse, the main gate was locked from the outside, but voices could be heard from inside. Police then entered the farmhouse from the back.
"The area was cordoned off, and 18 accused were apprehended. However, some managed to escape, taking advantage of the darkness. A large sum of cash and other items were recovered from the arrested individuals. A search for the absconding individuals is underway," Hiror added.
The police stated that preliminary investigation revealed that the owner of the farmhouse, IAS officer Vandana Vaidya, had appointed a caretaker, Arun, a local resident. The police have also initiated a search to apprehend the caretaker.
IANS also tried to contact Vandana Vaidya on the phone; however, no response was received from her side until the news was published.