JAIPUR: In a major crackdown on the dark underbelly of the Pink City, the Bhankrota Police have dismantled a sophisticated international-style illegal casino operating out of a luxury farmhouse. The raid follows an investigative lead first highlighted by Expose Now in February regarding “palaces of luxury built on agricultural land.”
A “Mini Goa” in the Heart of Rajasthan
The raid took place at Villa Number 5 in ‘Empress Greens,’ where police discovered a high-profile gambling party designed to replicate the casino atmosphere of Goa. The entry fee for this exclusive club was reportedly set between ₹1 lakh and ₹2 lakh. To maintain absolute secrecy, all guests were required to place their mobile phones on ‘Flight Mode’ before the games commenced to prevent any location leaks or unauthorized recordings.
Corporate-Style Operations and Hawala Links
The investigation revealed that this was not a small-time gambling den but a highly organized corporate-style syndicate. The organizers had flown in professional dealers (young women) from Delhi and other metropolitan cities to manage the tables.
Key findings of the operation include:
- Hawala Services: If a guest ran out of cash, the organizers provided immediate liquidity through on-site ‘Hawala’ connections.
- Five-Star Hospitality: Two five-star chefs were employed to cater to the guests, while specially trained staff served premium foreign liquor.
- Profit Model: The organizers reportedly took a 5% commission on every bet placed, generating millions in a single night.
The Mastermind and Strategy
The kingpin of the operation, 45-year-old Pradeep Lalwani, has reportedly been active in this illegal trade for the last six years. To evade law enforcement, parties were strategically held on Wednesdays or Thursdays instead of weekends. The farmhouse was guarded by bouncers who only allowed entry to those providing specific ‘code words.’
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The use of agricultural land for such massive commercial and illegal activities without any land conversion has also put the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) under the scanner for administrative negligence.
Arrests and Legal Action
Police arrested a total of 16 individuals during the raid. The core organizing team includes:
- Masterminds: Pradeep Lalwani and Robin.
- Associates: Shekhar Lal, Ashok Kumar, Vikram Singh, Vinod Rana, and Mohit Mehta.
Additionally, nine high-profile players, including Harshit Raj, Mohit Sharma, Sanjay Singhania, and Shivdas Meena, were taken into custody. Police are currently scanning mobile data and financial transactions to identify potential links to influential political or bureaucratic figures.
