Police have arrested six members of an Indian gambling ring, including its ringleader, for operating illegal gambling activities at a casino in Thamel.
The arrests were made at Waldo Casino located inside Chhaya Center in Kathmandu’s Thamel area. The District Police Range, Kathmandu, announced the arrests at a press conference on Wednesday, saying the suspects have been kept in custody for further investigation.
According to police spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Pawan Kumar Bhattarai, those arrested include Suresh Mahajan, identified as the kingpin of an Indian casino event syndicate, along with Pramod Moria, Dinesh Verma, Bikram Singh, Chija Khadka and Bhawani Pandey.
Bhattarai said police have also identified seven additional individuals, including Nepali nationals, involved in fraud under the guise of casino operations, and search operations are ongoing. During the raid, police seized playing cards, sensor-fitted devices, lenses and other materials used for gambling.
Police said Mahajan is an Indian national and was found to be operating groups named Acharya Casino Event Group and BP and Mahakay Group. According to investigators, these groups have been running illegal gambling events in the name of casino events in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Cambodia.
Police said around 70 casino players affiliated with BP and Mahakay Group arrived in Nepal on Mangsir 25, and when other groups joined the event, the total number of visitors from India reached around 200. It was found that the organisers had arranged air tickets, food and accommodation for those involved.
Police have also uncovered evidence of transactions being conducted through hundi in connection with the gambling activities. Authorities said the illegal gambling operation has had a negative impact on casino tourism and that further investigation into the case is underway.
