In a major crackdown on illegal gambling, Rourkela Police have dismantled a forged lottery racket operating in the city, seizing over Rs 25 lakh and large quantities of counterfeit lottery tickets.
Acting on intelligence, police conducted coordinated raids on December 20, 2025, across multiple locations, uncovering printing equipment and materials used to produce fake tickets. Authorities say the operation was run by Sanjaya Sahu (51), originally from Sasaram, Rohtas (Bihar), now residing in Rourkela, with assistance from three associates.
The racket reportedly lured citizens with promises of high returns, defrauding the public while evading government lottery regulations. The scheme not only cheated individuals but also caused revenue loss to the state.
The four arrested individuals are:
Sanjaya Sahu (51) – Sasaram, Rohtas (Bihar), residing in Rourkela
Rajesh Kundu (50) – Khirpai village, Bankura (West Bengal), residing in Sector-16, Rourkela
Tukuna Mallick (48) – Ranigola village, Cuttack (Odisha), residing in Sector-02, Rourkela
Uttam Kumar Ghosh (66) – Jagda Quarters, Rourkela
Police recovered cash, forged tickets, and printing equipment, believed to have been used in the forgery. Investigations are ongoing to trace the origin of the fake tickets, uncover the full extent of the network, and identify additional accomplices. Further arrests are expected as the probe continues.
