• A local youth leader for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Gujarat, India, has been arrested on charges of illegal gambling.
• The arrest of Ashish Kamdar and six others came just days after he had publicly submitted a letter to police demanding a crackdown on online betting platforms.
• Police raided a private residence in the town of Godhra following a tip-off, seizing cash, mobile phones, and playing cards.
• After being released on bail, Kamdar denied the allegations in a video message, claiming the case was a “political conspiracy” designed to tarnish his image.
• The incident highlights the complex and often contradictory social and political landscape surrounding gambling in India.

A youth wing president for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the Indian state of Gujarat has been arrested on illegal gambling charges, in an incident that has drawn significant local attention due to its timing. The politician, Ashish Kamdar, was arrested just days after he had publicly petitioned the same police force to take strong action against online betting.

According to the Local Crime Branch in Panchmahal, officers carried out a raid on a private house in the town of Godhra following a tip-off. Police stated they found seven individuals, including Kamdar, engaged in a game of cards for money. Cash totalling ₹98,700 (approx. $1,188), mobile phones, and playing cards were seized from the premises.

The Police Raid and the Politician’s Response

All seven individuals were arrested and charged under local gambling laws. However, after being released on bail, Kamdar took to social media to vehemently deny the allegations. In a video message posted on Facebook, he claimed the case against him was fabricated and a “political conspiracy” designed to suppress his voice and tarnish his reputation.

The arrest was made particularly notable by Kamdar’s actions just a few days prior, on 14 August. He had submitted a formal written representation to the police demanding strict measures be taken against online betting and mobile gaming apps, warning that they were causing social harm by drawing young people into gambling.

The Political Context

The Aam Aadmi Party, which governs the states of Delhi and Punjab, is a significant and growing opposition force in Gujarat, a state long dominated by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The AAP’s state spokesperson acknowledged the arrest and said the party was monitoring the situation before taking any disciplinary decisions.

This incident, while a local affair, provides a vivid snapshot of the complex and highly politicised nature of the gambling debate in India. On one hand, there is clear and rising political pressure to address the perceived social harms of gambling. On the other, the activity remains widespread, and enforcement actions are often met with allegations of political motivation. For operators monitoring the Indian market, it serves as a potent example of the challenging and unpredictable socio-political environment.