From Bungalows to Sheds, a Large Network of Black Money: Navapur Becomes a Safe Haven for Gamblers From Vapi to Ankleshwar
Navapur, Maharashtra. Navapur, a border town in Maharashtra’s Nandurbar district, is now facing serious allegations of becoming a major hub for illegal activities under the shadow of the khaki. Located on the Gujarat-Maharashtra border, the town is allegedly emerging as a centre for crime and high-stakes gambling. According to local residents and sources, gambling operations involving huge sums of money are allegedly continuing on a daily basis, while questions are being raised over the apparent lack of action by the authorities responsible for maintaining law and order.
From Bungalows to Sheds: Where and How Are the Alleged Mini-Casinos Operating?
According to local sources, the alleged gambling dens are operating at two main locations within the jurisdiction of Navapur Police Station.
Location 1: A bungalow near Jan Talav Hanuman Temple and behind Jindal Petrol Pump is allegedly being used to arrange secret gambling games for high-profile players. Sources claim that the activities are conducted discreetly, with selected players being allowed entry.
Location 2: Another major gambling den is allegedly operating behind Ekta Hotel in the Visarwadi area. A specially constructed permanent shed is reportedly being used for the operation.
Sources allege that a syndicate involving Rakesh Gosavi alias Pappu Gosavi, Rice Sheikh and Suraj Jaiswal is operating these gambling activities. Games such as ‘Asro’, involving number-based gambling, and ‘Tran Patti’ are reportedly being played at these locations.
Gamblers Arriving From Gujarat: Crores Allegedly Won and Lost Every Day
The alleged gambling operations are reportedly not limited to local players. According to sources, gamblers from industrial cities across Gujarat, including Vapi, Valsad, Surat, Bharuch and Ankleshwar, allegedly arrive in convoys of cars.
Sources claim that large amounts of money are reportedly won and lost at these locations day and night. The presence of expensive luxury vehicles from Gujarat outside the alleged gambling dens is being cited by locals as an indication of the scale of the activities.
The biggest question being raised by residents is: If vehicles from Gujarat can reportedly be seen parked at these locations even around 1 a.m., why has the local police allegedly failed to notice the activities?
Allegations of Monthly ‘Collections’: Role of PI and Senior Officers Under Question
Local residents claim that they have repeatedly informed Navapur Police Station PI Abhishek Patil about the alleged gambling activities, both verbally and in writing. However, they allege that no raid has been conducted so far.
Sources further claim that the matter has also been brought to the attention of Nandurbar SP Ashwini Sanap, the LCB PI and IG Sanjay Yanpure. Despite these alleged complaints, residents say that no significant action has been visible on the ground.
Amid the lack of action, allegations and discussions about monthly ‘collections’ running into lakhs of rupees have also surfaced. These are serious allegations and would require an independent investigation by the competent authorities to establish whether there is any truth to them.
Residents and journalists who have reportedly raised their voices against the alleged gambling operations also claim that they have faced threats of violence and warnings of being implicated in false cases.
Flashback: When Strict Action Was Taken Against the Gambling Network
The issue has also been raised in the past. According to reports cited by local sources, ‘Pako Gujarat News’ had earlier exposed allegations related to the gambling network.
At that time, then-IG Shekhar reportedly ordered immediate action, following which raids were conducted at locations allegedly linked to Rice Sheikh. Sources claimed that valuable property worth crores was seized during the action. The then PI of Navapur was also reportedly suspended over alleged negligence.
Despite that earlier action, residents now claim that the alleged gambling network has once again become active in the Navapur Police Station area.
The Big Question: Will Any Senior Police Officer Conduct a Raid?
The alleged activities and the reported lack of visible action have raised several questions among local residents. Questions are being raised over the silence of PI Abhishek Patil and senior police officials, while allegations of a large-scale gambling network continue to circulate.
Has the rule of law weakened in Nandurbar district? Are allegations of monthly ‘collections’ allowing illegal gambling operations to continue unchecked? Or will a senior and impartial police officer step in and conduct a thorough investigation and raid?
The public is now demanding strict action from senior authorities, a transparent investigation into the allegations and a decisive crackdown on any gambling network found operating illegally in Navapur and the surrounding border areas.
