Nagpur: Two paan stalls raided in Mankapur, banned gutkha worth Rs 62,210 seized

Nagpur police have carried out a major crackdown on the covert sale of banned gutkha and paan masala in the city. The escort squad of the Nagpur police commissioner raided two paan stalls in the Mankapur police station area and recovered a large quantity of banned material.

According to police, the escort squad team was on patrol in the city on Tuesday night when it received information that banned gutkha was being secretly sold at Golu Paan Center and Kanha Paan Palace, located near the Godhani railway bridge on Bhokara Road. After the information was confirmed, a police team led by API Bhagwan Koli raided both shops.

During the raid at Golu Paan Center, Durgadas Narayandas Malve was found at the spot, while the shop's alleged original owner, Praful Babaraoji Bhishnukar, fled upon seeing the police. Police searched the shop in the presence of panch witnesses. Following this, Yogesh Gyaneshwar Bondre was caught during the raid at Kanha Paan Palace.

In the search of both paan stalls, police found banned brands of gutkha, including Vimal Paan Masala, Rajshree and Rajnigandha. Two kharra-making machines and cash were also recovered. Police said the total value of the seized material was estimated at Rs 62,210. All the material is banned in Maharashtra.

A case has been registered against three accused at Mankapur police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Food Safety and Standards Act. A fourth accused fled from the spot on seeing the police and is now being searched for.

Police are also investigating where the supply of the banned gutkha was coming from and who else is involved in its sale. Nagpur police are keeping a continuous watch on paan stalls that flout regulations to sell banned gutkha and paan masala.