In a significant operation against illegal gambling activities, the Rourkela Police have successfully dismantled a forged lottery racket operating within the city.
Acting on specific intelligence, police teams conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations on December 20, 2025, leading to the recovery of a large quantity of forged lottery tickets and cash amounting to Rs 25,37,260.
The alleged mastermind, Sanjaya Sahu (51), originally from Sasaram in Bihar’s Rohtas district and currently residing on Main Road under Plantsite Police Station limits in Rourkela, was arrested along with three associates. Investigations indicate that Sahu was running the illegal operation in collusion with his accomplices, distributing counterfeit lottery tickets through a network of agents across the city.
Police sources revealed that the accused enticed unsuspecting citizens with promises of high returns, ultimately defrauding the public while evading government regulations on lotteries. The racket not only cheated individuals but also caused substantial revenue loss to the state through the circulation of fake tickets.
The four arrested individuals are:
- Sanjaya Sahu (51), son of Jagdish Prasad Sahu, from Sasaram, Rohtas (Bihar), residing in Rourkela.
- Rajesh Kundu (50), son of Hiralal Kundu, originally from Khirpai village, Bankura (West Bengal), residing in Sector-16, Rourkela.
- Tukuna Mallick (48), son of Sanatan Mallick, from Ranigola village, Cuttack (Odisha), residing in Sector-02, Rourkela.
- Uttam Kumar Ghosh (66), son of late Kanti Bhusan Ghosh, residing in Jagda Quarters, Rourkela.
Authorities have seized the cash, forged tickets, and other incriminating materials, including printing equipment believed to be used in the forgery.
A thorough investigation is ongoing to uncover the full extent of the network, trace the origin of the fake tickets, and identify additional accomplices. Further arrests are anticipated as the probe advances.
