14 High-Profile Gamblers, Including BJP and Congress Leaders, Arrested in Bilaspur

 The raid, conducted at Jeans Palace on Friday night, recovered ₹2.17 lakh in cash from the accused.

According to Civil Line SHO Summat Sahu, information about illegal gambling at the Maharana Pratap Chowk-based hall led a police team to raid the venue. Room number one on the first floor was searched, resulting in the arrest of 14 people, including BJP district vice president Santosh Kaushik, Mandal President Nain Sahu, and Congress corporator Munna Shrivas.

Marriage Hall Owner Escapes Action

Despite the gambling taking place on the premises, the hall owner was not questioned or charged. Police formalities focused solely on the gamblers, raising questions about selective enforcement.

Police Attempt to Hide Identities Fails

Initially, the police refrained from revealing the identities of the high-profile individuals, possibly due to political pressure. While gambling raids usually involve publicizing the accused, no press release was issued initially. However, after public scrutiny, the names were disclosed on Saturday night.

List of Arrested Individuals:

• Santosh Kaushik (57), resident of Jarahabhatta – BJP District Vice President

• Nain Sahu (41), resident of Ramnagar Takhatpur – BJP Mandal President

• Munna Shrivas (64), resident of Mahamayapara Takhatpur – Former Nagar Palika President, now Congress Corporator

• Prashant Murti (59), resident of Vinoba Nagar Tarbahar – Businessman

• Narendra Ratre (49), resident of Azad Nagar Takhatpur – Former Councillor

• Ballu Patel (32), resident of Deendayal Mangla – Son of former Sarpanch and Mandal President of Ganiyari

• Kailash Devangan (40), resident of Holika Chowk Takhatpur

• Bauwa Devangan (40), resident of Takhatpur

• Zakir Khan (53), resident of Pathakpara Takhatpur

• Craigie Martin (51), resident of Vinoba Nagar Tarbahar

• Devansh Dora (26), resident of Vidya Nagar Tarbahar

• Vivek Mishra (47), resident of Vidya Nagar Tarbahar

• Pawan Pandey (46), Congress leader, resident of Belsari Takhatpur

• Vishal Singh (45), resident of Nehru Nagar

This raid highlights the growing concern of gambling in unconventional venues like marriage halls and the challenges law enforcement faces when political connections are involved.