Barpeta: The illegal lottery trade in Assam’s Barpeta district continues to thrive, despite a comprehensive ban issued by the Gauhati High Court in October 2024.
This persistent violation has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement and potential administrative negligence in curbing the unlawful operations.
The High Court’s ban was the outcome of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that highlighted how these lotteries were operating in breach of the Lotteries Regulation Act, 1998.
Although the order was meant to put an end to illegal gambling, several popular lotteries such as the Nagaland Dear State Lottery, West Bengal State Lottery, and Teer are still being openly sold across Barpeta. Among these, the Rs. 12 Ending Lottery has drawn significant criticism for alleged manipulation of results, further deepening concerns over illegal practices.
Recent investigations have unveiled disturbing details about the operations of the illegal lottery trade in Barpeta. Multiple unauthorised websites, including panjabdata.in, bhutandata.in, lotterybutan.com, northlottery.com, and lotterybhutan.in, have been found facilitating these illegal activities without any legal authorisation.
Reports indicate deliberate manipulation of lottery results, favoring operators and making it nearly impossible for participants to win. Authorities have identified Badal Saha as the key figure behind the syndicate, supported by his accomplices Sujit, Madhu Sutradhar, and Pranab Talukdar.
The issue has sparked a heated debate, particularly due to the involvement of Barpeta’s Superintendent of Police, Sushanta Biswa Sarma, who is the younger brother of Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Despite the Chief Minister’s public declarations against illegal gambling, enforcement actions in Barpeta have been minimal, leading to allegations of selective enforcement or possible interference. The Chief Minister had previously stated, “No illegal activities would be tolerated under this administration,” underscoring his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on unlawful gambling. However, the lack of action in Barpeta has led to public skepticism.
The illegal lottery trade preys on low-income groups, offering false hopes of financial gain but often leading to significant financial losses.
The network’s reach extends beyond Assam, facilitated by various online platforms that make it difficult for local authorities to track and curb illegal sales.
Civil society organizations have raised concerns over the potential complicity of local authorities, urging for an independent probe into the district administration’s handling of the situation.
Allegations suggest that the lottery mafia has substantial influence over local administration, hindering the enforcement of the court’s orders. Critics point out systematic failures in the mechanisms intended to address these illegal operations, which have allowed them to persist despite legal restrictions.
As the Gauhati High Court continues to monitor the situation, dismantling this illegal network remains a complex task. The tangled web of political, personal, and criminal interests presents significant challenges for law enforcement. In the coming weeks, state authorities will need to demonstrate a firm commitment to addressing these issues to restore public faith in the administration and ensure that the court’s ban is effectively implemented.