PANJIM: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed Crime Branch (CB) to register a First Information Report (FIR) into allegations of rampant gambling activity across the State and to investigate the role of police officials who have been accused by a group of social activists of accepting protection money to allow the illegal activity.
The directions were issued taking cognizance of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Kashinath Shetye and others seeking the court’s intervention to initiate action and stop matka gambling activity. The court has also asked the CB to submit a status report of the investigation every six months.
The petitioners had alleged a police-matka gambling nexus, particularly in the State capital with no authorities willing to act against the illegalities. In one such expose, CB’s raid at two matka dens in March resulted in the suspension of two hawaldars and two constables for their alleged links with the matka groups.
