Satta king’s hotel demolished by administration in Ashoknagar:JCB razes front and rear of 3-storey building; over 100 police personnel deployed during action

The Ashoknagar district administration has demolished the hotel owned by alleged ‘Satta King’ Azad Khan.
On Monday morning, around 9 am, teams from the municipal body and police reached Hotel Azad Palace, where JCB machines were used to pull down the front and rear portions of the three-storey structure. The demolition was carried out for violations of construction norms. Ahead of the operation, all nearby shops were ordered to shut, lanes were barricaded, and additional barricades were placed in the vacant premises near the old bus stand to prevent crowds from gathering. Before the JCB action began, administrative officials entered the hotel and inspected rooms on all three floors. Heavy police deployment, drone surveillance More than 100 police personnel were deployed in the area during the operation. SDOP Vivek Sharma personally monitored the proceedings. The entire action was recorded using drones and video cameras. Allegations of running an online betting racket Azad Khan is accused of operating an online betting network in Ashoknagar and surrounding areas for a long time. His alleged involvement came to light after the arrest of several bettors in the neighbouring Guna district. Further evidence reportedly emerged through bank transaction records of gamblers arrested by Ashoknagar Kotwali police. Following the registration of multiple cases, the district collector had cancelled Khan’s licence for a .32 bore pistol. After receiving notice, he deposited the weapon at the police station. A few days ago, Kotwali police also seized transaction registers and other documents from his premises. Cooperative society under probe After revelations about Khan’s links to a large online betting network, authorities have also tightened scrutiny on KGN Sakh Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit, a cooperative society allegedly run from Hotel Azad Palace. On Friday, state minister Vishwas Sarang ordered a probe into the society, directing officials to submit a report within seven days. All financial transactions of the institution have been frozen with immediate effect. Case of abetment to suicide Separately, Azad Khan has also been booked in a case related to the suicide of two brothers in the rural police station area, where he has been accused of abetment. He was arrested in the case and sent to jail. Khan is currently lodged in prison.