The Free Press Journal, on July 29, in a report titled "Pune Exclusive: Khadki Police HQ Shelter Gambling Ring, ₹50,000 ‘Protection Money’ Paid To Officials Monthly", exposed that a full-fledged illegal gambling den was operating within the premises of the Railway Police Headquarters at Khadki.
A room that had been vacant for a long time was being used by gamblers. Upon visiting the spot, Team FPJ found that the room was equipped with a light, a ceiling fan, a table and a chair, and was being used by gamblers. The story got worse as liquor bottles and cigarette packets were found scattered all over the room, painting a grim picture of what really went on inside. The scene was far from what one would expect inside a government facility, let alone a police headquarters.
Earlier | FPJ Photo
Now | FPJ Photo
However, after the report, immediate action has been taken by the authorities to curb the shocking misuse of government property. All electronic fittings, including ceiling fans and lights, have now been removed. The room has been filled with scrap material to prevent further misuse. Security personnel have been deployed at all entry and exit gates of the premises.
Earlier, sources told FPJ that the illegal activity had been flourishing with the hidden support of certain senior officials within the department who have been deployed in the headquarters. Sources added that the gamblers were paying between ₹25,000 and ₹50,000 per month as "protection money" to the deployed officials to continue running their operations from the vacant room inside the police quarters.
On the basis of anonymity, an official had said, “The situation is even more alarming as the same premises also house a storage area for weapons and ammunition. Such illegal activity in government premises is a threat to ammunition safety."
This was not the first illegal activity exposed at the Khadki Railway Police Headquarters by FPJ.
On June 29, 2024, Team FPJ highlighted how 35 mature green trees were chopped here without obtaining the necessary permissions from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and were sold illegally in January 2024. This incident came to light when PMC officials inspected on January 29 after a complaint.
According to the PMC report, 35 trees had been cut down in January unofficially without a permit.
