Candlelight under tree leads PSI Naveen Naik’s team to illegal gambling den in Bhatkal

Bhatkal: 23, October 2025 (Bhatkallys News Bureau) Police from the Bhatkal Town Station raided an illegal gambling spot near the Jali Telageri cricket ground on Saturday evening, arresting one person while seven others managed to flee.

According to police sources, the raid was conducted after Sub-Inspector Naveen Naik and his team noticed candlelight near the ground around October 19 evening. On reaching the spot, officers found a group of men playing the card game Andar-Bahar using cash and playing cards spread on waste paper.

As the police approached, seven suspects, including Madeva Gonda, a centering worker from Telageri, and Shankar Naik from Hanuman Nagar, escaped the scene. However, Narayan Gonda, a fisherman from Shedkuli, was caught on the spot. His claim that it was “just a festive game” reportedly failed to convince the police.

Officers seized ₹1,700 in cash, a deck of playing cards, and candles used at the site. A case has been registered, and a search operation is underway to trace the absconding suspects, including three unidentified individuals, police said.