Assam: Over Rs 15 lakh lottery tickets sold in Boko despite High Court's directives

An illegal lottery game scheduled to take place in Boko on October 4 was canceled following a High Court directive to curb unauthorized lottery activities across the state. The order, issued on October 3, instructed the state government, district police, and local administrations to immediately halt any illegal lotteries in Assam.

The controversial lottery, organized to raise funds for a temple under the South Kamrup Vedic Sanatan Brahma Samaj, had already sold tickets worth over Rs 15 lakh, according to Chabin Kaibarta, the Assistant Secretary of the Games Management Committee. However, Kaibarta admitted that no formal permission had been granted by either the district police or the administration for the event.

Despite this, the organizers had planned to proceed with the lottery on October 16. This would have been a clear violation of the court's directive, which aligns with the Lotteries (Control) Act, 1998, and the Lotteries (Control) Rules, 2010. These regulations allow only the State Government to conduct lotteries, subject to stringent conditions.  

The High Court's latest directive stems from a previous ruling issued on June 28, following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Gauhati High Court. The petition highlighted the unchecked rise of illegal lottery schemes across the state. As a result, the court ordered district administrations to ensure immediate action against unauthorized lotteries.

With a reported budget of Rs 2.5 crores, the planned lottery drew criticism from local residents. Many have questioned the organizers' defiance of legal regulations and raised concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable individuals through such schemes. The public is now demanding accountability and urging authorities to take strong action against those flouting the law and the court’s orders.

Also read: Assam government backs Durga Puja again, provides Rs 10,000 aid to committees