Chennai

It was a tip-off from a whistle-blower within the police department in Madurai six months ago that prompted ArapporIyakkam to conduct the sting operation in the end of October. 

“Gutka is brought in Thirukkural Express –from Nizamuddin to Kanniyakumari – to Madurai Junction, and then transported to the southern districts. Even though the train is scheduled to stop for barely five minutes, it was being halted for 15 to 45 minutesto unload 200 cartons from the coach behind the engine on platform three,” said JayaramVenkatesh, convener of the outfit. 

The video revealed that the train was made to wait till all the boxes were unloaded and taken on a trolley by 15-20 workers to the VIP gate on Platform 1, he said, adding that the boxes were not checked or weighed. However, railway officials at the station denied being involved in the racket. 

“The parcel officer, station master and Railway Protection Force turn a blind eye on the case. We approached the CBI with evidence of gutka smuggling. However, they said the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption is investigating the matter and hence it would be better if the CBI refrained from interfering,” said another member of ArapporIyakkam. 

The chief vigilance officer promised to look into the matter, and conducted a raid in Madurai in which 200 boxes were seized. Also, Tamil Nadu Food Safety Commissioner P Amudha had written to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) about the raid. 

“Despite all these efforts, no FIR has been filed till date and no action was taken,” said Jayaram, stating that they would move the Madras High Court seeking independent investigation. 

The continued sale of tobacco products despite the ban in the state had assumed political colours after the opposition DMK raised the issue in the Assembly and outside, alleging that the health minister and senior police officers were involved in the racket.

MODUS OPERANDI 

• Thirukkural Express stops at Madurai Junction for 15 to 45 minutes at 3 am on Mondays and Wednesdays 
• 200 boxes of gutka and panmasala are unloaded from the bogey behind the engine on Platform 3 
• Cartons are taken in a trolley by 15 to 20 workers to a VIP gate on the first platform 
• VIP gate, for which the station master is responsible, is kept open for its free exit  
• Boxes shifted into vehicles parked near the gate

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