PNS|Vijayawada
The Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) of Krishna district conducted raids on a cockfighting and playing card centre set up at a mango garden at Surampalli of Gannavaram mandal on Thursday.
On a tip-off, the SEB sleuths conducted the raid and caught 74 gamblers who participated in both cockfights and playing cards. Also, the police seized Rs.10.98 lakh and many vehicles.
According to the information, gamblers had come from Rajamahendravaram, Bhimavaram, Eluru, Kaikaluru, Vijayawada and other parts of the State to Nunna, to attend a ceremony. Later, they went to a mango garden at Surampalli to participate in gambling.
According to the sources, as many as 300 people participated in cockfighting and playing cards. Betting and gambling spending approximately Rs.1 crore were held. After getting information about this place, the SEB officials rushed to the mango garden and conducted raids, the sources said.
On the other hand, reliable sources said that the SEB seized Rs.1 crore. But, the Gannavaram police made it clear that SEB seized only Rs.10.98 lakh. Also, many people who have strong political backgrounds escaped from this raid, the sources said.
Besides, the gambling centre was functioning at a mango garden belonging to Vijayawada Municipal Corporation 31st Division Corporator P Sirisha’s husband P Satyanarayana Raju. He is actively participating in the YSRCP’s activities. So, with the support of ruling party leaders he and some other political leaders escaped police arrests, the sources added.
