In a significant crackdown on illegal matka gambling, Goa Police arrested Jaya Chadda, the notorious Mumbai-based matka queen, late Friday. Jaya, the widow of infamous Kalyan matka operator Suresh Bhagat, was apprehended as part of a large-scale operation targeting illegal gambling activities across Goa.
The operation, led by the Goa Police Crime Branch, involved multiple raids across various locations in Goa, including Panaji, Mapusa, Porvorim, Margao, Vasco, Ponda, Mandrem, and Pernem. These raids resulted in the arrest of top matka operators, including Jaya Chadda, along with other prominent bookies such as Chandubhai Thakkar alias “D’sa,” Ghanshyam Bhai, and 12 additional suspects.
The Goa Police registered 13 separate cases related to illegal gambling operations, filing 12 FIRs under Section 11(2)(a) of the Goa Prevention of Gambling Act and Section 112 read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These cases were filed across five police stations in the state, targeting agents, bookies, and matka operators.
Jaya Chadda, who oversees the main Kalyan Matka network from Mumbai, is known for running one of the largest and most notorious matka operations in India. Thakkar and Ghanshyam Bhai, arrested during the crackdown, are responsible for managing the Main Bazaar Matka operations in Gujarat, a network that primarily operates at night.
Notably, Jaya is also the widow of the infamous matka king Suresh Bhagat, who was killed in a staged accident—an incident allegedly involving Jaya and her boyfriend. This high-profile arrest is seen as a major success in Goa’s ongoing battle against illegal gambling activities.
