40 arrested, Rs 16.35 lakh in assets seized in high-end cross-border gambling bust
GOA – July 29 – The fallout from a high-stakes gambling bust near the Goa-Karnataka border has intensified, with Canacona Police Inspector Harish Raut Desai receiving a show cause notice for alleged dereliction of duty. The action was initiated by Superintendent of Police (South Goa) Tikam Singh Verma, amid reports that local police had prior knowledge of the illegal operation but failed to intervene.
The raid, carried out between Monday night and early Tuesday morning last week, targeted a secluded bungalow in Xelim, suspected of hosting a luxury gambling den for nearly six months.
Major Gambling Bust: 40 Arrests, Rs 16 Lakh in Seizures
The surprise raid led to the arrest of 40 individuals, including seven organisers. Authorities recovered:
- Rs 5.20 lakh in cash
- 40 mobile phones
- Playing cards and a computer
- A vehicle used by the organisers
The total value of seized items is estimated at Rs 16.35 lakh, officials confirmed.
According to police sources, the operation had been running for months with little interference – allegedly under the indifferent watch of the local police. Inspector Desai is believed to have received direct information regarding the den but is accused of failing to act.
Organiser Identified; Property Owner Abroad
One of the key suspects is Ligorio D’Souza, said to be managing the property where the gambling occurred. He was interrogated for over an hour on Saturday by PSI Ajit Velip.
The bungalow is reportedly owned by a woman named Thelma, who is currently residing abroad. According to initial confessions from the arrested individuals, Thelma had entrusted the premises to Ligorio, who is now being treated as the primary organiser of the gambling activities.
Cross-Border Operation Raises Red Flags
An aspect drawing serious concern is the cross-border nature of the operation. Of the 40 individuals arrested, only one is a Goan resident. The rest hail from Karwar, Karnataka, underscoring the regional scope of the illegal gambling network and raising questions about jurisdictional oversight and local complicity.
SP Takes Action Amid Public Outcry
With PI Desai now under official scrutiny, the show cause notice is seen as a significant step by the South Goa SP in addressing possible lapses within the Canacona Police Station. Public pressure has mounted in recent days as more details of the alleged inaction have surfaced.
The SP’s move is being viewed as part of a broader attempt to hold senior officers accountable and reinforce discipline in sensitive border areas increasingly vulnerable to illegal gambling operations.