Gambling den raided, 29 held, Rs 12.19 Lakh seized

Twentynine persons, who allegedly engaged in gambling, were on Saturday arrested and Rs 12.19 lakh seized following a raid at a posh apartment here, police said.

Following a tip-off that a gang of men from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh was engaged in illegal gambling, a flat in the service apartment complex on Thiagaraya Road was raided on Saturday morning.

It was found that game of cards involving several men by betting huge sum of money was on. The main accused was Srinivasa Babu (42) and he hails from Prakasam District in Andhra Pradesh, police said.

The gang had allegedly chosen Chennai following a crackdown in Hyderabad against organised gambling often involving huge sum of money originating from dubious channels, police said.   

Cases under several IPC sections have been booked against them. Cards used for gambling were seized. Surveillance against illegal gambling will continue in suspected areas, police added.