Indore: A late-night raid at a farmhouse in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore district has exposed an alleged gambling operation running from a property registered in the name of a senior IAS officer, triggering discussion in administrative circles. During the operation conducted on Wednesday night, 18 people were caught allegedly gambling on the premises, while five others managed to escape in the darkness. Authorities recovered a large amount of cash, dozens of mobile phones, playing cards and two vehicles from the spot.
Farmhouse Linked to Senior IAS Officer
According to the preliminary investigation, the farmhouse is registered in the name of former Shahdol Collector and current Managing Director of the Madhya Pradesh Finance Development Corporation, Vandana Vaidya, and her husband Ambrish Vaidya. However, Vaidya has distanced herself from the alleged activities and called for a fair and impartial investigation into the matter.
The action was carried out after authorities received specific information about a gambling gathering taking place at the property. When the raiding team reached the farmhouse late at night, the main gate was found locked from outside. However, voices could be heard from inside the premises. The team then entered through a rear gate and found several individuals gathered in the veranda allegedly playing cards and gambling.
Five Accused Escape, Search Underway
The sudden raid created panic among those present at the farmhouse. Some individuals managed to flee under the cover of darkness, while 18 people were apprehended on the spot. Those who escaped have been identified as Jagdish Rathod alias “Uncle” alias “Kubada”, Gopal, Pappu, Ashish Jain and the farmhouse caretaker Ranjeet Chaudhary. Search teams are currently working to track them down.
Cash, Mobile Phones and Vehicles Seized
During the raid, authorities recovered ₹13.67 lakh in cash, several packs of playing cards, 30 mobile phones and two cars from the location. The total value of the seized items has been estimated at approximately ₹28.67 lakh. All recovered materials have been taken into custody and are now part of the ongoing investigation.
Initial findings suggest that the absconding accused Jagdish Rathod may have been operating the gambling racket. The caretaker Ranjeet Chaudhary is suspected of allowing the farmhouse premises to be used for gambling gatherings in exchange for money. Investigators are now trying to determine whether such activities had been taking place regularly at the location and whether the operation was linked to a wider organised betting network in the region.
Mobile phones seized from the site are expected to provide crucial leads in the case. Investigators are examining call records, messages and digital transaction details to understand whether the gambling activities were limited to a local circle or connected to a larger organised network operating across multiple areas.
Arrests Made, Investigation Continues
All arrested individuals have been booked under provisions related to illegal gambling and have been sent to judicial custody. Investigators believe that once the absconding accused are traced and arrested, more details about the structure and scale of the network could emerge.
IAS Officer Denies Knowledge of Activities
Meanwhile, IAS officer Vandana Vaidya said she came to know about the raid through social media after the incident had already taken place. She stated that the farmhouse is her private property and is maintained by a caretaker. According to her statement, she has no connection with the individuals who were arrested during the raid and had no prior knowledge of any such activities taking place at the property.
She also indicated that the possibility of the premises being used without her knowledge or being accessed illegally cannot be ruled out. She has urged authorities to conduct a transparent and unbiased investigation so that the facts of the case can be clearly established.
Questions Raised as Probe Expands
Following the incident, the matter has sparked discussions locally, with questions being raised about how such a gambling operation could function at a large property without drawing earlier attention. Investigators say the case is being examined in detail, and more individuals may be questioned as the probe moves forward.
