Palghar, Maharashtra: The Palghar Police have arrested six individuals for gambling during a late-night raid conducted in the early hours of Wednesday. The operation was carried out following a tip-off and is part of the district police’s ongoing efforts to eliminate illegal trades.

Raid Conducted on SP’s Orders to Curb Illegal Activities

According to a press release issued by the office of Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh, all police stations and the Local Crime Branch in Palghar were directed to intensify surveillance and take strict action against unlawful activities.

Acting on these instructions, Police Inspector Anant Parad, in charge of Palghar Police Station, received confidential information that a group of individuals was engaged in gambling at a private residence on Morekuran Road, Palghar.

A police team was swiftly formed and dispatched to the location. During the raid, officers found six people actively gambling inside the home of Arun Sankhe.

Accused Include Local Residents of Palghar

The accused have been identified as, Parag Suresh Patil (47), Shanu Tahir Ansari (30), Amol Gangadhar Sankhe (45), Dharmshil Yashwant Jadhav (36), Rahul Satish Bade (31),and Akshay Sakharam Patil (33), all residents of Palghar.

Action Taken Under Maharashtra Gambling Act

The police seized gambling materials and cash totaling ₹4,45,000 from the scene. A FIR has been registered at Palghar Police Station under Sections 12 and 4(A) of the Maharashtra Gambling Act. Further investigation is underway.

Mumbai: The special PMLA court has refused to prosecute whistleblower Abhishek Gupta, a Chartered Accountant, booked by ED for money laundering in connection with the Torres fraud case.

Observation Made By The Judge

While dropping prosecution against Gupta, the special judge RB Rote, said: “There is no material/evidence to indicate that accused No.10 (Gupta) is actually involved in any process or activity connected with the proceeds of crime. Therefore, considering the limited role assigned against accused No.10, it shows that there are no sufficient grounds for proceeding against accused No.10 for the offence under PMLA.”

“Despite being aware of financial irregularities and non-compliance, he failed to take timely action or report these issues to the relevant authorities. His delay in raising alarms suggests that he knowingly facilitated the management’s illegal business dealings. The accused No.10, the Auditor, appears to have reported the irregularities and non-compliance in his audit report,” the court further said.

It, however, referred to the ruling of the Bombay High Court, where a Statutory Auditor and Chartered Accountant were discharged. The court, however, ordered to proceed against the other 12 accused, namely, M/s Platinum Hern Pvt Ltd (PHPL) – Torres Jewellery, Alpesh Khara, Sagar Paresh Mehta, Oleksandr Zapichenko alias Alex, Olena Stoian, Viktoria Kovalenko, Sarvesh Ashok Surve, Tausif Reyaz alias John Carter, Lallan Jamedar Singh, Tazagul Khasatova alias Tanya, Astrozen Pharma Pvt Ltd, and Prisah Advisory Pvt Ltd.

The Enforcement agency has claimed that, PHPL company lured the investors into a fraudulent investment scheme under the guise of high returns and lucrative rewards. The company enticed the customers by promising exaggerated weekly returns ranging from 2% to 9% on investments in gold, silver, original diamond jewellery, and precious gemstones, particularly targeting those looking to invest in these assets. ED claimed that they offered “Investment Bonuses” of 20% for bringing in new investors, creating a chain-like referral system.

“The sales officers at the showrooms misled the customers by conducting seminars, advertising high returns and offering lucky draws with the chance to win luxury cars and expensive mobile phones, giving an impression of legitimacy. In reality, the company marketed synthetic moissanite stones, which were much cheaper than diamonds, as high-value investments, promising that their value would increase in the future, akin to diamonds,” ED said, claiming that the value of the proceeds of crime as of now is Rs 177.11 crore.

The police have launched an investigation against two persons who used illegal online gaming platforms to dupe people by inducing them to use the gaming apps and promised them huge profits.

According to the police, the complainant is assistant police inspector S.B. Kasule (40), a resident of Dharashiv. The police had received information about two persons who were duping people by giving false promises of providing high returns on playing online games.

Accused Lured Victims via WhatsApp with Login IDs and Promises of High Returns

The police who were armed by the mobile numbers of the accused persons, then tracked the location and found the accused persons operating at Talwale village and found to be running three illegal online gaming platforms which promoted gambling. Their questioning of the accused persons further revealed information about two other persons from Beed and Nanded who had provided them with a login ID and password to use the gaming platforms.

Cyber Crime Police Register Case Under IT Act and Gambling Laws

“Analysis of their WhatsApp data has revealed that they had provided gaming app links through WhatsApp to several people and induced them to play games by giving them login ID and password and took money from them online by promising them good returns,” said a police officer. A case has been registered by the cyber crime police recently 318 (cheating) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, sections 66C (identity theft), 66D (cheating by personation by using computer resource) of the Information Technology Act and provisions of Maharashtra Prevention Of Gambling Act.

Cops Caution Public Against Unverified Gaming Apps, Share Cyber Safety Tips

“Download apps only from authentic sources such as Google Play, Apple Store and official websites. Ensure that app permissions requested by the game app are relevant and necessary, check the game app publisher’s information to ensure website legitimacy, never share your personal information such as bank account details with game app and beware of in-app purchases and subscription offers that seem too good to be true. Report any suspicious activity to the game developer and to the payment provider immediately and if any such game scam occurs call 1930 or report a complaint on www.cybercrime.gov.in,” said a police officer.