Petitioner firmly stands for regulating ‘industry’
PANAJI
Shetye’s Public Interest Litigation seeking action to stop matka gambling activities in Goa is being heard by the High Court of Bombay at Goa.
Following HC directions issued to the Goa Police last week to initiate action within two weeks, 137 raids have been conducted so far on matka dens in the state wherein around 145 persons have been arrested and released on bail.
Speaking to The Goan, Shetye stated, “I have always demanded for regularization of matka. Regulate the entire ‘industry’ on the lines that the casino industry has been brought under the purview of legalised forms of gambling. Not only will this bring the illegalities under check, it will also generate revenue through licenses and other fees and permissions.”
Shetye further said that if the government cannot legalise matka, then it should amend the existing law to bring ‘matka’ under the purview of law.
“We have no objection if the trade of gambling is regularized and hafta protection money which goes into the pockets of the police, politicians, gamblers, criminals and terrorists is legalized by way of hefty taxes which should go into the state treasury with no person/student below the age of 18 being allowed to gamble,” the petition states.
Incidentally, Shetye’s demand had been voiced by former St Andre MLA Vishnu Wagh in the legislative assembly. Demanding the legalization of matka during a session of the Assembly in 2015, Wagh had alleged that it is the police who pose a major hurdle in this regard as they are scared of suffering losses in terms of haftas. Wagh had stated that a class distinction is evident in this matter as those people who play games at casinos are not booked but those who play matka are pulled up.
During this debate, the then Ponda MLA Lavoo Mamledar too had noted the steady rise in the number of cases of matka registered over the years.
Meanwhile, in absence of state’s commitment to legalisation of matka gambling, Shetye has offered to aid the police in tracing the roots of the activity.
“I know a few ethical hackers and we have already offered our services to the police to crack the entire racket once and for all. But because of the financial gains that everybody from the ministers to the police stand to lose, no real action is ever initiated in matka cases,” he informed.
This insistence on complete eradication springs from the fact that following the police raids, once the dust settles, bookies return to their dens.
Presently, Shetye fears that the ongoing police drive will not only meet the same fate but that it will also lead to an increase in the haftas.
“After ten days, hafta will be increased and that too in my name. Cops will tell the bookies that this Kashinath matter has become serious and that they will need more hafta,” Shetye lamented.
Legal experts thrash police
With the police investigations conducted on similar lines into matka cases hitting the same dead end, legal fraternity has questioned why the police have refrained from employing their modus operandi of choice, the ‘decoy customer’
“Eye witnesses are never arrested though the raids are conducted at public spots. Those placing bets are never detained for questioning. If it is so hard to nab the other parties to matka, why do the cops not send out decoy customers. They will even be strong witnesses for examination before the courts,” a senior criminal lawyer observed on condition of anonymity.
It was also pointed out that marked notes, similar to those used in busting cases of corruption, can be employed in tracing the roots of the funds and uncovering the layers of transaction which form the matka industry.
