Pune: Pune Police Seize Gutkha Worth Rs 1.39 Crore in Narhe Raid

Sinhagad Road, 17th June 2024: Pune Police’s Crime Branch conducted a raid yesterday and seized Gutkha worth Rs 1 crore 39 lakh. The raid took place in the Narhe area of Sinhagad Road. Police also seized the raw materials used for making Gutkha, which were found in the godown where the raid occurred. Four individuals were arrested, while one accused is still at large.

The Crime Branch Unit 2 arrested Pushpendra Akbal Singh (27), Sunil Patthan Singh (45), and Chandan Ajaypal Singh (32), all residents of Narhe and natives of Uttar Pradesh, along with Mukesh Kaluram Gehlot (28), a resident of Ambegaon and native of Rajasthan. A case has been registered against Nilesh Lalwani (40), a resident of Narhe, who is currently absconding. The accused have been charged under the relevant sections of the Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006.

Maharashtra has a ban on Gutkha. The Crime Branch received information that Gutkha was being stored in large quantities in a godown on Sinhagad Road in the Narhe area. From this location, the Gutkha was being distributed in small quantities to various parts of Pune. Acting on the orders of Pune Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar, a team from Crime Branch Unit 2 and the Social Security Cell conducted the raid. The action was carried out under the guidance of CP Amitesh Kumar, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shailesh Balkawade, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amol Zende.