Illegal lottery racket busted at Kalyaneshwari Naka, Asansol, tickets worth lakhs seized

Authorities have seized a large consignment of illegal lottery tickets during a routine checkpoint operation at the Kalyaneshwari Naka under the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate. The seizure took place on Saturday night when a minibus travelling from Jharkhand towards Asansol was intercepted near the border region.

According to officials, five large bundles of illicit lottery tickets were recovered from the vehicle. Preliminary estimates indicate that the value of the seized tickets could run into several lakhs of rupees. Investigators suspect that the tickets were meant for distribution across Asansol and adjoining industrial belts. Initial findings suggest the involvement of an organised syndicate operating across the Jharkhand–West Bengal border. Investigators believe that individuals including Guddu Khan and Deepak Tiwari were responsible for transporting the illegal tickets from Jharkhand, while Paltu Singh allegedly handled local distribution. The network reportedly extends to areas such as Jamuria, Raniganj, and Durgapur.

Questions have also emerged regarding transparency in the operation, with reports that the vehicle’s driver and cleaner were released after questioning. Journalists at the scene alleged that they were prevented from photographing the seized material, prompting debate over procedural transparency. Authorities have confirmed that an investigation is underway to dismantle the network and identify those responsible.