PANAJI
The Crime Branch of Goa Police has booked alleged matka queen Jaya Chheda, already facing multiple FIRs in Mumbai, after uncovering her links to a gambling network operating in the State.
In a major crackdown on Thursday, police registered 12 cases and arrested 12 bookies in coordinated raids across Goa. Another 12 agents and handlers allegedly operating within Goa have also been booked.
A statement issued by Superintendent of Police (CB) Rahul Gupta said that raids were conducted in Panaji, Mapusa, Porvorim, Margao, Vasco, Ponda, Mandrem and Pernem.
Cash and gambling paraphernalia were seized from various locations. Among those arrested hail from different parts of Goa.
Probe indicates that the network was operating in close coordination with larger matka syndicates based outside Goa.
Gupta said that main operators behind the matka gambling network have been traced to other States and identified as Chandubhai Thakkar alias D’sa and Ganeshyam Bhai, both residents of Ahmedabad, and Jaya Chheda from Mumbai. Chheda has been booked in several cases in Mumbai.
The CB has registered FIRs under Section 11(2)(a) of the Goa Public Gambling Act and Section 112 read with 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
