Cops bust roadside gambling gang in Churchgate

The Azad Maidan Police have busted a gang of roadside gamblers by arresting three persons who would allegedly dupe people by calling them to gamble on the side of a road in Churchgate area.

The accused have been identified as Mohd Kasim Akhtar Shaikh, 23; Monti Basant Sharma, 28; and Arjun Manik Rai, 24.

According to the police, the trio would allegedly sit at the MK Road in Churchgate during the day and call people to play card games and show them card tricks. Initially they would let the people win, allowing them to become confident and bet more money. The trio would then trick them and cheat them of their money. The gang's operation came to light last week, said the police, after a South Mumbai resident approached them complaining that he had been cheated of Rs 1.20 lakh. In his complaint, the victim said that the gang allegedly showed him some tricks and told him that he could win lakhs of rupees if he plays. Swayed by that, the victim began playing when the accused allegedly tricked him and siphoned off with all money.

"The complainant had no idea about their identity. After cheating him they had become untraceable. We traced them after registering the case and arrested them on Sunday. We are grilling them to recover the money and also to ascertain how many others have fallen prey to their tricks," said a senior police officer from Azad Maidan Police Station.

A case under relevant sections of IPC for cheating and extortion has been registered against the accused.