Owner of Big Daddy Casino Triumphs in Haryana Elections
Gopal Kanda, the man behind Goa's Big Daddy Casino, has achieved a historic milestone by securing a seat in the Haryana legislative assembly. Representing his own party, the Haryana Lokhit Party, he won the Sirsa constituency, albeit by a slim margin. Kanda's political journey is quite varied; he previously served as a cabinet minister and also owns Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd. His victory is particularly notable as he is the first person in India to own a casino and successfully win an election. Given the current hung assembly, his support could prove pivotal in deciding who forms the next state government in Haryana.
As the proprietor of Golden Globe Hotels Pvt. Ltd (GGHPL), Gopal Kanda manages the operations of Casino Big Daddy. He recently emerged victorious in the elections for the Sirsa assembly constituency in Haryana. While he is a familiar face in Haryana politics, his career has been plagued by controversy and a series of pending criminal charges. Despite this, his recent electoral win is a landmark event, making him the first casino owner in the country to both run for and win a political office.
Analyzing Gopal Kanda's Electoral Win and His Political Trajectory
Gopal Kanda, owner of Big Daddy Casino, wins a seat in the Haryana Assembly
Gopal Kanda is a complex figure, balancing his life as a businessman with a political career marked by significant turmoil. His recent victory in the Haryana assembly elections has drawn attention, especially given his ownership of Casino Big Daddy. The casino, operated through his company Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd (GGHPL), is a well-known establishment on Goa's River Mandovi and houses the famous Spartan LIVE poker room. This win is a first of its kind in India, as no casino owner had previously succeeded in an election.Casino Big Daddy adds an intriguing dimension to his political success. The casino is managed under his company Golden Globe Hotels Pvt Ltd (GGHPL). Situated on the banks of the River Mandovi in Goa, Casino Big Daddy also hosts Spartan Poker’s renowned poker room, Spartan LIVE. This triumph marks a historic moment as Kanda becomes the first casino owner in India to attain electoral victory.
Kanda returned to the polls this year and once again won the Sirsa assembly seat. However, since the overall election results led to a hung assembly, Kanda offered his full support to the BJP, which had fallen short of a majority by six seats.
Despite his win, Kanda's past remains a major hurdle, with several serious criminal cases still pending against him, including charges of income tax evasion, criminal conspiracy, and abetting suicide. These legal issues may block his path to a high-ranking government position. This is supported by statements from Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, who indicated that the BJP would not accept Kanda's support, suggesting a difficult road ahead for his political ambitions.
A Deep Dive into the Scandals and Political Gambles
The life of Gopal Kanda is a blend of high-stakes political maneuvering and deep controversy, where his business interests as a casino owner often collide with legal battles.
One of the most tragic episodes involves Geetika Sharma, a 23-year-old who once worked for Kanda's MDLR Airlines. In August 2012, Sharma took her own life at her family home in Delhi's Ashok Vihar. Before her death, she left a heartbreaking note accusing Kanda and his associate, Aruna Chadha, of sexual harassment.
The aftermath was cinematic: Gopal's brother, Govind Kanda, arrived at the Ashok Vihar police station to announce his brother's surrender. In a sequence resembling a Bollywood movie, Kanda bypassed several police checkpoints before finally turning himself in, accompanied by his staff and a crew from STV Haryana News. He spent eighteen months behind bars before being granted bail in March 2014, following the withdrawal of the rape charges.
Even with legal clouds hanging over him, Kanda didn't abandon politics. Shortly after his release, he founded the Haryana Lokhit Party. However, his attempt to win a seat in the 2014 assembly elections ended in a crushing defeat, despite a campaign that leaned heavily on religious sentiments.
Kanda's legal troubles aren't limited to the Sharma case. Back in 2008, Income Tax officers were reportedly assaulted during a raid on MDLR Airlines. Furthermore, even after being cleared of certain charges during his time as a minister, his alleged links to Ponzi schemes caused a stir. In 2016, when Nirmal Singh Bhangoo of the Peal Group was arrested for fraud, Kanda's name surfaced as one of the beneficiaries. Although the Economic Offences Wing filed a case, the investigation stalled, leaving many questions unanswered.
Gopal Kanda, Big Daddy Casino Owner, Linked to Sonali Phogat Investigation
As the investigation into the tragic death of Sonali Phogat continues, Gopal Kanda finds himself back in the spotlight. Known primarily as the owner of Goa's Big Daddy Casino, the controversial politician's name has once again been linked to a high-profile scandal.
Recent reports suggest that Kanda may be involved in the current probe. It appears that Sudhir Sangwan, Phogat's manager, and his friend Sukhwinder are long-time associates of Kanda. Phogat's family believes that Kanda is using his influence to protect Sangwan and Sukhwinder—both former employees of his—thereby preventing the Goa police from arresting them, despite their presence with Phogat shortly before her passing.
The family's accusations have grown more severe, claiming that Kanda is actively interfering with the legal process. They allege he is pressuring local authorities to quickly dismiss the case as a simple heart attack. Refusing to accept the body until justice is served, the family is calling for a CBI probe or a detailed autopsy at AIIMS in Delhi.
In a formal police complaint filed in Anjuna, North Goa, Rinku Dhaka, Sonali Phogat's brother, alleges that his sister was drugged, raped, and murdered by people she knew, including her associate and personal assistant. He further suggests a political conspiracy. While the official complaint doesn't explicitly name Kanda, the family openly accuses him of obstructing the investigation and playing a role in the tragedy.
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