Puri, Oct 19: In a major crackdown under the ongoing “Operation Chakra,” Puri police raided a gambling den in Khadipada village under the jurisdiction of Puri Sadar police station, seizing over ₹7.7 lakh in cash and arresting 14 individuals involved in illegal betting activities.

Acting on a tip-off from special sources, the police launched a swift operation targeting the gambling hub, which had reportedly attracted participants from various districts across Odisha. During the raid, the prime accused, notorious criminal Jatia alias Somnath Rout, managed to escape police custody, while the remaining 14 accused were apprehended on the spot.

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The police recovered ₹7,70,600 in cash, 12 packs of playing cards, 60 plastic tokens, two cars, and six motorcycles from the site. The scale of the operation and the assets seized indicate a well-organized gambling network operating in the region.

Puri SP Prateek Singh stated that the raid was part of a broader initiative to maintain law and order in the city and curb rising criminal activities. “We are committed to dismantling such illegal setups and ensuring public safety. The crackdown sends a strong message to offenders that criminal activities will not be tolerated,” he said.

The police are continuing their search for the absconding prime accused and investigating the network’s links to other districts.