Bhadravati police raid two spots for banned tobacco, book three people

Police in Bhadravati carried out a crackdown on Sunday, September 13, 2026, against those selling and transporting banned scented tobacco. Two separate raids were conducted, one in the Shastrinagar area of the town and another at Mauja Belgaon Khokri Phata, together seizing goods worth about Rs 91,140 and registering cases against three people under different sections. The action was carried out under the supervision of station house officer Sachin Khetre.

The first raid took place in Shastrinagar. Assistant sub-inspector Mahendra Besarkar, who was on patrol, received a tip-off that a large quantity of Maja brand scented tobacco was being mixed into khaira at a house in the area and sold. Acting on this information, police raided the house of Prashik Hiraman Chahande, a resident of Shastrinagar, in the presence of witnesses. Ritik Sudhakar Kamble, 27, a resident of Suraksha Nagar, Bhadravati, was caught red-handed mixing tobacco and betel nut in a plastic packet to prepare khaira.

A search of the house turned up 32 sealed boxes of Maja 108 brand scented tobacco worth Rs 9,120, betel nut cuttings worth Rs 530, 70 khaira pouches worth Rs 2,800, cash of Rs 1,670 earned from selling khaira, and rubber pieces used in preparing khaira. In all, goods worth Rs 14,220 were seized. The accused, Ritik Kamble, told police that the goods belonged to Prashik Chahande and that he worked for him on wages preparing khaira. A case has been registered at Bhadravati police station under crime number 919/2026 against Ritik Kamble and the main accused, Prashik Chahande, who is absconding.

Shortly after this raid, police received another tip-off that a large quantity of scented tobacco was being brought from Warora to Mauja Belgaon on a motorcycle. Police immediately set up a checkpoint at Mauja Belgaon Khokri Phata. A person riding a black Hero Passion Pro motorcycle (registration MH-34-AZ-3226) with a white sack placed on the fuel tank was stopped. On questioning, he identified himself as Amol Shalik Vabhitkar, 35, who runs a paan stall, a resident of Belgaon in Bhadravati tehsil.

A search of the sack in the presence of witnesses found 28 sealed 200-gram packets of Eagle Hookah Sheesha brand scented tobacco worth Rs 11,620, and 10 kilograms of betel nut cuttings worth Rs 5,300. Police seized the scented tobacco, betel nut and the motorcycle used for transport, worth Rs 60,000, together valued at Rs 76,920, from the spot. A separate case has been registered against the accused, Amol Vabhitkar, at Bhadravati police station under crime number 920/2026.

In both cases, the accused have been booked under sections 223, 275 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with separate sections of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The action was carried out under the guidance of station house officer Sachin Khetre by assistant sub-inspector Mahendra Besarkar and police personnel Yogesh, Santosh and Khushal, with further investigation being conducted by police head constable Devanand Dukre. Police administration has issued a clear warning that strict action will continue against those illegally selling or transporting banned hazardous scented tobacco.