The district youth president of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), social liberal political party in India, has been arrested along with six others on charges of gambling, just days after he had urged police to take strong action against online betting platforms, according to reports from local media. The incident has drawn attention due to the timing of the arrest and the leader’s subsequent claims of a political conspiracy.
Police raid in Gujarat
According to the Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Panchmahal, a raid was carried out on a house in Vaijnath Society, Godhra, Gujarat following a local tip-off. Officers said they found seven people engaged in gambling, including AAP leader Ashish Kamdar.
During the raid, police seized ₹98,700 ($1187.61) in cash, of which ₹11,300 ($136) was said to have already been staked in bets. Three mobile phones and a pack of playing cards were also recovered from the premises.
The individuals arrested were identified as Ashish Kamdar, Jigar Shah, Dharmendra Gosai, Ashwin Goswami, Vijay Patel, Mahesh Patel and Vikram Vanzara, all residents of Godhra. Police registered a case against them under gambling laws.
Kamdar’s response after bail
After being released on bail, Ashish Kamdar issued a video message on Facebook denying the allegations. He said the case was fabricated and claimed attempts were being made to tarnish his image.
“This case is nothing but an attempt to suppress voices critical of the government. The truth will come out in court,” Kamdar stated in the video message.
Background to the case
On 14 August, only days before his arrest, Kamdar had submitted a written representation to the police urging strict measures against online betting and mobile-based gaming platforms. He warned that such platforms were drawing young people into gambling and causing social harm.
The letter highlighted what he described as the urgent need to regulate online betting applications that are becoming popular in smaller towns and rural areas of Gujarat.
Reaction from Aam Aadmi Party
The Aam Aadmi Party, a national political organisation founded in 2012 and currently governing Delhi and Punjab, confirmed Kamdar’s position as the district youth president in Panchmahal.
AAP Gujarat’s chief spokesperson, Karan Barot, acknowledged the arrest and said the state unit was waiting for directions from the party’s central leadership before taking any disciplinary or organisational decisions.
Barot added that the party was monitoring the developments closely and would take appropriate action once more details emerged.
Wider context
The Aam Aadmi Party has been expanding its presence in Gujarat, where the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) remains the dominant political force. AAP has been focusing on issues such as corruption, governance and youth welfare in the state.
The arrest of a local leader over gambling charges has put the party in the spotlight in Panchmahal. The case is also significant because of Kamdar’s earlier demand for a crackdown on online betting platforms, which has become a growing concern in several parts of India.
Police have stated that the investigation into the case is ongoing and further details will be shared after the inquiry.
