Denpasar court sentences 35 Indian nationals in online gambling cases

Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) - The Denpasar District Court sentenced 35 Indian nationals to two years and two years six months in prison for their involvement in an online gambling operation.

The panel of judges, chaired by Putu Gde Novyartha, sentenced Piyush Sharma and Yash Raj Singh Gaur to two years and six months in prison, while the other 33 defendants were each sentenced to two years in prison.

"We sentence defendants Piyush Sharma and Yash Raj Singh Gaur to two years and six months in prison. The other 33 defendants are sentenced to two years each," the panel of judges stated while reading the verdict on Wednesday.

All defendants were declared legally and convincingly proven guilty of gambling as stated in the prosecutor's first alternative charge.

Their actions were deemed to meet the elements of Article 426 paragraph (1) letter a of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP) in conjunction with Law Number 1 of 2026 concerning Criminal Adjustments.

The panel of judges ordered that the defendants' time in custody be deducted from their sentences and that they remain in detention.

In its deliberations, the panel cited mitigating factors, including the defendants' lack of prior convictions, their regret for their actions, and their assurances that they would not repeat their offenses.

The panel also considered the defense presented by the defendants and their legal counsel, who stated at a previous hearing that the defendants were victims of transnational human trafficking.

"Considering the defendants' plea at the previous hearing, they requested leniency because they claimed to be victims of transnational human trafficking," the judge said.

Meanwhile, the aggravating factor was that the defendants' actions were deemed contrary to the government's program to eradicate gambling. The panel of judges also considered the case to be part of a transnational crime.

In its ruling, the panel said the defendants could be proposed for deportation from Indonesia after completing their sentences and would be prohibited from re-entering the country. The sentences were lighter than those demanded by the public prosecutor.

Piyush Sharma and Yash Raj Singh Gaur had each been sentenced to five years in prison by the prosecution, while the other 33 defendants had each been handed demands of four years in prison.

According to the prosecutor's indictment, Piyush allegedly served as an operational coordinator, handling operational needs such as providing laptops, cell phones, and internet connections, as well as assigning tasks to operators.

Meanwhile, Yash Raj Singh Gaur was identified as an administrator who promoted the gambling website through various social media accounts.

The case began with the discovery of online gambling activities at two villas in Tibubeneng Village, Badung District, and Cepaka Village, Tabanan District, in February 2026. A total of 35 Indian nationals were subsequently prosecuted and named as defendants in the case.

Related news: Bali immigration hunts foreigners suspected of illegal riding lessons

Translator: Rolandus Nampu, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
Copyright © ANTARA 2026