CHENNAI:In a late-night operation on Thursday, a police team raided an illegal gambling den operating in a service apartment at Bhagavantam Street, T Nagar, and arrested six organisers and detained 45 gamblers – including two political functionaries belonging to the ruling DMK and opposition AIADMK.

Police arrested Mayakrishnan (37), leaseholder of the property since 2018, along with organisers Arumugam (40), Prakash (27), Johnson (43), Shivaprasad (69), Corson (37), and Nelson (38). BR Manoharan (68) of DMK and Raja (50) belonging to AIADMK were among the gamblers, the police said.

The police have seized Rs 1,04,100 cash, 30 card decks and 2 hookah equipment. The apartment was leased by Mayakrishnan from owner Geetha Ponnappan (55) and three units were sublet to organisers at Rs 5,000/day for gambling operations over the past 10days.

A case has been registered against the leaseholder and 6 organisers at Mambalam Police Station. As many as 45 gamblers were released after identity verification.