36 Gamblers Including Women Caught Red-Handed At Marriott Hotel 

Hyderabad: The Special Operations Team on Thursday arrested 36 business persons including seven women after catching them red-handed playing cards in a star hotel here.

The police raided three luxury suits at Marriott Hotel where the gamblers were busy playing cards at high stakes. All the gamblers are business persons, police said. Police recovered Rs23.50 lakh from them but said crores must have changed hands as they also used swiping machines. Investigation is on to figure out the amounts, police said.

Four managers of the star hotel and six other employees were also arrested.

Police said the gamblers belonging to rich families in city had made luxury arrangements in the suits just like Goa's casinos. Liquor bottles, hukkas and coins for exchange in gambling were recovered from the rooms.

The main accused Sanjay Kumar alias Saurabh is absconding and the police launched a manhunt for him. Cases under Excise Act, Gambling Act and other provisions have been booked on the accused, police said.