Lok Atukta orders probe against scheme of Boby Chemmannoor’s firm

A Division Bench of the Lok Ayukta has ordered a probe into a promotional scheme launched by Boche Bhoomiputhra Pvt. Ltd., a firm owned by businessman Boby Chemmannoor.

Complainant S. Sunil Kumar submitted before the panel that the firm issued coupons to those who purchased tea powder from its outlets to enable them to participate in a lucky draw for winning prizes.

The complainant contended that the firm was conducting an unauthorised lottery for illegal gain by selling tea powder along with coupons offering prize money of ₹10 lakh.

He argued that the scheme was a lottery conducted under the guise of a marketing promotion and it violated the provisions of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998.

According to the complainant, the scheme involved distribution of prize money based on chance and therefore amounted to private lottery, which had been prohibited under the Regulation Act.

The Director of State Lottery informed the panel consisting of Lok Ayukta N. Anilkumar and Upa Lok Ayukta V. Shircy that the agency had written to the State Finance Secretary seeking appropriate action against the firm for the conduct of the lucky draw.

The Lotteries Director also stated that only State governments were empowered to organise, conduct or promote lotteries in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

Both the Finance Secretary and the Lotteries Director informed the Lok Ayukta that the Regulation Act was silent on the enforcement agency to deal with illegal lotteries.

The Meppadi police had filed a case after an investigation into the conduct of the lottery.

However, the firm contended that it had not conducted or promoted any tea lottery and coupons were issued only as part of a promotional activity. It argued that the scheme did not amount to a lottery within the meaning of the Regulation Act and no provisions of the Act were violated.

The panel asked the Superintendent of Police of the Lok Ayukta investigating agency to probe the allegations within three months.

The panel posted the case for June 16.