Latest news with #MaharashtraPreventionofGamblingAct
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
BJP MLA says home dept has failed as ‘protector of culture'
MUMBAI: Ruling party MLAs caught the state government off guard on Monday by sharply criticising the home department headed by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on several fronts, including faltering in its role as the 'protector of culture'. BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar (Credit: ) Leading the charge was BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar, who while participating in the debate on supplementary demands in state Assembly, mentioned a leading hotel chain that was renting out rooms on an hourly basis, across the state. He said the chain operated hotels around 20km from cities and towns, where regular tourists would never patronise them. Clearly, he alleged, they were aimed at a specific clientele engaging in questionable activities. 'No tourist would dare to book these hotels as they are neither convenient, nor within reach. The 'sanskruti rakshak' (protector of culture) government should take note of this. The hotels are operated without any permission from local bodies,' Mungantiwar said. He also pointed to the rise in betting on cricket matches, and demanded that the Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act be amended to include stricter punishment. On a different note, Mungantiwar said more than 5,500 files of police officers and personnel are pending with the office of the director general of police, for approval of housing loans. 'Police employees have not been able to pay for flats they booked as their loans have not been cleared under the DG loan scheme. The files have been gathering dust in Mantralaya,' he said. There was more criticism for the home department. Shiv Sena MLA from Jalna, Arjun Khotkar, slammed the state government over law and order and industrial policies. 'Although chief minister Devendraji Fadnavis has been making an effort to maintain law and order, the machinery does not fall in line. The police are helpless as they have not been equipped with modern technology,' he said. 'As a result, the crime rate has increased, with rampant instances of dacoity, loot and attacks on individuals.' Khotkar added that although the state government claims to have helped bring down electricity bills for industries, the price of power has risen 'and I can prove this on paper'. He remarked, 'The state government has established Chandrapur as a steel hub, but the steel industry in Jalna is in bad shape.' Opposition MLAs such as Bhaskar Jadhav, Amit Deshmukh and Rohit Pawar also took a few digs at the government¸ alleging deteriorating law and order and poor fiscal discipline of the state's economy. Jadhav said bags full of documents had been stolen from his car at Shivaji Park 18 months ago, but the culprits are still at large.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Time of India
Gambling Den Busted In Kuhi, 15 Booked
Nagpur: In a major crackdown on illegal activities, Kuhi police raided a card gambling den in Chikna area and apprehended 15 individuals red-handed. Police seized property worth ₹4.53 lakh including ₹3,370 cash, playing cards, and 10 two-wheelers. According to sources, the accused came from various localities in and around Nagpur and are mostly in their 20s and 30s, with one individual in his 50s. They include Sachin Sahu (34), Pramod Ahirkar (44), Rahul Thackeray (34), Shankar Kode (23), Ganesh Lanjewar (36), Suraj Khadse (24), Atul Thackeray (39), Tejas Bujale (24), Karthik Naranware (28), Jitesh alias Bablu Phalekar (54), Karthik Yelekar (26), Lokesh Ghuble (28), Devraj Bawankar (28), Sajan Lanjewar (41), and Ashish Nasre (23).Police have booked all 15 accused under Section 12 of Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act. Further investigation is underway to determine if the arrested individuals are part of a larger network of illegal gambling operations.
