Bilaspur/Mungeli : In a significant development against organised gambling networks in Chhattisgarh, the Hon’ble Chhattisgarh High Court, Bilaspur, has rejected the anticipatory bail plea of notorious gambling kingpin Yogendra Sharma alias “Lal Maharaj”. Following the court’s strict stance, Mungeli Police have intensified efforts to arrest the accused.
The case pertains to Crime No. 66/2025 registered at Phasterpur Police Station, Mungeli district, under Section 6 of the Chhattisgarh Gambling Prohibition Act, 2022. The bench of Hon’ble Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal declined anticipatory bail after considering the accused’s criminal antecedents and his alleged involvement in organised crime.
Raid Led to Major Revelations
According to police, on 7 October 2025, Phasterpur Police conducted a raid in village Vicharpur and caught accused Ravi Kumar Anchal red-handed while gambling. During interrogation and technical analysis, it was revealed that Ravi Kumar had been operating an organised gambling network since 2021 on the directions of the main accused, Yogendra Sharma. Gambling transactions were conducted through mobile communication, with payments made via UPI (PhonePe) and cash.
Key Findings During Investigation
Police investigation uncovered strong financial evidence, including suspicious transactions exceeding ₹7,05,945 between the SBI and ICICI bank accounts of Yogendra Sharma and his associates. The investigation further revealed that Sharma is a habitual offender, with several previous cases registered against him under gambling laws, and convictions in multiple cases.
Accused Absconding, Reward Announced
The accused has been absconding for a considerable period. To facilitate his arrest, Superintendent of Police, Mungeli, Mr. Bhojram Patel, has announced a cash reward of ₹1,000. Posters of the accused have been displayed across the district. With the rejection of anticipatory bail, police now have full legal authority to arrest him.
Police Appeal to the Public
In an official press note, the Station House Officer of Phasterpur stated that the High Court’s decision has strengthened the fight against organised crime. He appealed to the public to share any information related to the accused with the police, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential.
The High Court’s order is being viewed as a major setback for organised gambling syndicates operating in the region.
