High Court orders release of Rs 1.53 lakh seized in Dirba gambling case
Police booked eleven people in Dirba for gambling under the Public Gambling Act and seized cash of Rs 1,53,040. A trial court convicted some accused and acquitted others in 2024. The High Court on 28 April 2026 allowed the plea of one accused and directed release of the seized cash to him on an indemnity bond.
This page records what the cited court records say happened. Findings belong to the court or authority that made them; this register adds none of its own. Names of private individuals are withheld unless a naming gate clears them.
How we verify →Seizure set aside to the extent the cash is to be released to the acquitted petitioner on bond.
What happened
The High Court recorded the case as FIR No.133 dated 21.06.2020 at Police Station Dirba, District Sangrur under Sections 13/3/67 of Public Gambling Act, 1867.
The High Court noted that currency amounting to Rs.1,53,040 was seized and that eleven accused were involved, with some convicted by the trial court and the petitioner acquitted by judgment dated 20.08.2024.
The High Court recorded that the magistrate refused release of the cash by order dated 19.08.2025 on the ground that there were eleven accused and the petitioner could not be treated as sole owner.
The High Court held the petition was allowed and directed the trial court to release the amount of Rs.1,53,040 to the petitioner after verification on an indemnity bond.
What the record says
“Sections 13/3/67 of Public Gambling Act, 1867. present petition is allowed. The trial Court is directed to release the amount of Rs.1,53,040/- to the petitioner”
CRM-M-58103-2025, order dated 28.04.2026 — read the full text
No complaining victim
The alleged act was wagering the accused persons' own money with no allegation of cheating, fixing or a defrauded victim.
What we could not confirm
Exact sub-section breakup of 13/3/67 as printed could not be further clarified from the summary page.