Banned gutkha worth Rs 9.37 lakh seized in Nagpur's Mehboobpura, two brothers booked

The escort team attached to the Nagpur police commissioner's security convoy raided Mehboobpura, under the Yashodhara Nagar police station limits, in the early hours of Thursday. Banned gutkha, flavoured tobacco and scented pan masala valued at Rs 9.37 lakh were seized.

The action was carried out at about 1.35 am on October 29. According to police, the goods were allegedly stored at two separate spots on Plot No. 899, near Noori Masjid and Tipu Sultan Chowk in Mehboobpura. Police suspect the stock was being delivered clandestinely to paan stall operators at various places in Nagpur.

During the raid, police apprehended Faeem Ansari, 40, son of Nabi Ahmed Ansari, who was present at the spot. When a search was conducted in the presence of independent witnesses, banned gutkha and other tobacco products were found in a room under a tin shed on the terrace of the first floor of his house.

The team then searched another room adjoining it, which is next to the rented house of his brother Nadeem alias Lakhan Nabi Ahmed Ansari, 38. More banned gutkha, flavoured tobacco and scented pan masala were reportedly found there too.

The total value of the seized goods has been estimated at Rs 9,37,951. Police said the goods were allegedly being kept for illegal trade despite the government ban, and the entire stock was therefore seized.

During questioning, Faeem allegedly told police that the seized goods belonged to his brother Nadeem alias Lakhan. According to him, both brothers were involved in selling the banned goods clandestinely to paan stall operators in the city.

Investigators suspect the premises were being used to store the goods, which were then distributed through an informal supply network. The alleged use of different rooms to keep the goods is also being investigated.

Police are expected to establish where the stock came from, who the suppliers are and how many paan stalls and other shops may have taken goods from this alleged trade.

According to police, both accused were allegedly found holding banned tobacco goods for illegal sale for financial gain. On the complaint of Police Sub-Inspector Sadashiv Kanse, a case has been registered at Yashodhara Nagar police station under Sections 123, 274, 275, 223 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with the relevant sections of the Food Safety and Standards Act.

The accused have been handed over, along with the seized goods, to Yashodhara Nagar police for further legal action and investigation. This is another action by the city police against the illegal sale of banned tobacco products. The investigation is now focused on tracing the supply chain and determining how far the alleged trade extended.