NAGPUR: The special squad of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone IV) Rashmita Rao arrested 10 men for allegedly gambling on cockfights in the Imamwada area of Nagpur on October 21, 2026. Police seized six live roosters, cash worth ₹13,520, seven mobile phones, sharp metal spurs and eight motorcycles, collectively valued at ₹5,96,820.

Acting on a tip-off, the special squad conducted a raid at around 4.10 pm near the railway tracks behind the house of Pravin Baksare in Jattarodi, within the jurisdiction of Imamwada Police Station.

According to police, the accused were allegedly organising cockfights by attaching sharp metal blades or spurs to the legs of live roosters and placing monetary bets on the outcomes. Ten men were caught at the spot, while their alleged accomplice, Pravin Baksare, is wanted in the case.

The arrested accused have been identified as Sanket Raju Naik (26), a resident of Karnalbag, Ganeshpeth; Aditya Kailas Samudre (24), of Sirsapeth; Tanmay Manohar Barapatre (20), of Premnagar, Narayanpeth, Shantinagar; Dhammadeep Sunil Khandare (20), of Jattarodi No. 2, Imamwada; and Vicky Bhojraj Barapatre (35), of Balabhaipeth, Panchpaoli.

The other accused are Pratik Nilkanth Paunikar (25) and Vilas Sitaram Paunikar (49), both residents of Juni Mangalwari; Somlal Punaji Nagarikar (55), of Hiwari Layout, Bhim Chowk; Manohar Kanthiram Samarth (55), of New Shukrawari, Telipura; and Sagar Liladhar Dhanjude (28), of Killa Road, Mahal.

Police registered a case against the accused at Imamwada Police Station under Section 12(C) of the Maharashtra Prevention of Gambling Act. The arrested men, along with the seized property, were handed over to Imamwada police for further legal proceedings.

The search for the wanted accused, Pravin Baksare, and further investigation are underway.

The operation was carried out by the special squad under the guidance of DCP Rashmita Rao, Zone IV, Nagpur City.