Former Home Minister flags ‘casinos’ in city

City police continue to deny their existence

K.J. George, former Home Minister, has written to the incumbent Minister Araga Jnanendra flagging two ‘casinos’ that have opened recently in his Sarvagnanagar constituency seeking immediate action against them. Though there have been allegations of casinos in the city - residents of Indiranagar had raised the issue in the past - this is the first time a former Home Minister has officially complained about the same. However, the city police continue to deny their existence in the city. “There is no such activity in the city, as of today. If anything is found, most stringent action will be taken against such establishments,” said Bengaluru Police Commissioner Kamal Pant. All forms of gambling, except those categorised as skill games, are banned by law. A copy of the letter available with The Hindu provides specific locations of the two casinos — in HRBR Layout and on Kammanahalli Main Road. Mr. George said several families have become paupers because of the illegal gambling at these casinos, and sought their immediate closure. Sources in the city police said hours after the receipt of the former Minister’s letter on Thursday, the East Division Police raided the two premises and shut them down.