Pune: The Chandannagar police have filed a case against an 18-year-old shopkeeper from Sopan Nagar, Vadgaon Sheri, for allegedly selling banned tobacco products, including gutkha, flavoured tobacco, and pan masala.
The accused has been identified as Tilokchand Rooparam Bhati, a resident of Sopan Nagar. The complaint was lodged by police personnel Shubham Kisan Bhosale at the Chandannagar police station.
According to authorities, Bhati was operating an unlicensed paan stall without a signboard near Tejas Wine Shop in Sopan Nagar. Based on specific information, the police conducted a raid at the shop on Sunday, April 13. During the operation, they discovered a stock of prohibited tobacco products from multiple brands, with an estimated market value of ₹47,476.
Following the seizure, a case was registered against Bhati under several legal provisions, including the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Disaster Management Act of 2005, the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003, and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
Police Sub-Inspector Praneel Chougule has been assigned to lead the investigation. Further inquiries are underway to determine the source of the banned products and whether others were involved in the illegal trade.
