Jharkhand Police have busted a massive counterfeit lottery operation in Dhanbad, seizing fake lottery tickets and printing equipment worth an estimated ₹160 crore. The raid, carried out by Chirkunda Police, uncovered what investigators believe was a large-scale illegal printing and distribution network operating out of an abandoned building — one that allegedly targeted unsuspecting members of the public while spreading its reach across multiple states.
How the Raid Happened
Acting on specific intelligence about illegal lottery ticket printing, a special team led by Nirsa Sub-Divisional Police Officer Lileshwar Mahato raided a deserted building belonging to Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) near Babudundal More in the Chirkunda police station area. What they found inside was essentially a fully functional counterfeit printing unit.
Officers recovered a huge stockpile of fake lottery tickets, along with sophisticated printing machines, computers, printers, and other equipment allegedly used to manufacture the counterfeit material. The total value of everything seized — tickets and equipment combined — was estimated at around ₹160 crore. All of it, along with related documents, has now been sent for forensic examination to determine the true scale of the operation and trace any linked financial transactions.
The Man Arrested — And What He's Revealed
Police arrested Swaroop Mallik, a resident of Sawalapur Kalubathan in the Nirsa area, right at the raid site. During initial questioning, he reportedly admitted to being involved in the illegal business alongside several associates. Investigators are now cross-checking his statements and going through his financial records, communication history, and any connections he may have to other suspected members of the network — the kind of thorough review that mirrors what professional bookkeeping services in India typically involve, systematically organising and tracing financial transactions to understand exactly how money moved through the operation. Authorities believe this racket had been running for quite a while before it was finally caught.
Not Just a Local Operation
Rural Superintendent of Police S. Mohammad Yakub confirmed that this wasn't a small, isolated operation confined to Jharkhand. According to police, the network's reach extends into several cities across the state as well as into neighbouring Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. Investigators are now coordinating with police departments in these states to identify distributors, suppliers, and other people potentially involved in what looks like a fairly large interstate operation.
The Hunt for More Suspects
Police are currently searching for several other people connected to the racket, including three brothers from Babudundal — Prakash Singh, Bhanu Pratap Singh, and Jai Singh (also known as Pinta or Bhagat Singh) — along with another suspect named Nanhaku from Pitha Kiyari. Investigators believe these individuals played key roles in either running or expanding the counterfeit lottery business, and raids are currently underway at multiple locations to track them down.
Interestingly, some of the wanted suspects already have criminal records. Prakash Singh, for instance, has been named in multiple cases across Daltonganj, Nirsa, Chirkunda, and Giridih Town, while Jai Singh has previously faced liquor smuggling charges in Jamtara and Bihar's Gopalganj district. Police are now looking into whether these earlier crimes have any financial or operational overlap with the lottery racket.
More Trouble Brewing in Dhanbad
Police also indicated that a second, separate lottery syndicate may be operating in Dhanbad, running similar illegal activities in other parts of the district. Authorities say they're currently verifying intelligence on this second network too, with further action expected soon. Meanwhile, forensic experts continue to comb through the seized printing equipment, digital devices, documents, and financial records to trace the full money trail and map out the complete structure of this alleged interstate counterfeit lottery operation. More arrests and legal action are expected as the investigation moves forward.
FAQs
Q1. How much was the counterfeit lottery ticket seizure worth in Dhanbad?
Police estimated the value of the seized fake lottery tickets and related printing equipment at approximately ₹160 crore.
Q2. How many states is the counterfeit lottery network believed to be linked to?
Investigators believe the network extends beyond Jharkhand into Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh.
Q3. Who has been arrested so far in the case?
Swaroop Mallik has been arrested from the raid location, while several other suspects, including three brothers from Babudundal, remain absconding and are being actively searched for.