Kathmandu, November 18

The Metropolitan Police Range, Kathmandu raided the Gaushala-based house of Keshav Dhwaj Rana and arrested 17 persons, including Rana, on the charge of gambling in the wee hours today.

SP Bishwo Raj Pokharel, MPR spokesperson, said the arrestees were found gambling and betting on kauda, a game played with 16 sea shells, when the cops raided the house at around 1 am. Pokharel said it was one of the biggest anti-gambling operations carried out by the police in the Kathmandu Valley. The arrestees are between 20-63 years of age.

SP Pokharel informed that Rs 1.94 million, 16 pieces of kauda and 12 decks of playing cards were confiscated from them. The house was under close surveillance after locals lodged a complaint with police, stating that the house had become a gambling den.

Police said gambling also leads to social crimes. Law enforcement officials have long been complaining that the existing Gambling Act, 1963 is not tough enough to deter gamblers. As per the Act, a first-time offender can walk free after paying a fine of up to Rs 200 and a four-day stay in police custody.

According to police, it has carried out 63 raids on hotels, lodges and houses in the Kathmandu Valley and arrested more than 400 gamblers in the past one year alone.