Bus conductor held in Tiruvannamalai for transporting gutka

A 52-year-old bus conductor of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) was arrested by Kalasapakkam police near Arani town on Sunday for allegedly transporting 30 kg of gutka, to sell the consignment to retail traders in the area.The arrested person was identified as K. Sivanathan, a resident of Tiruvannamalai. During routine trips between Polur town and Bengaluru, Sivanathan allegedly carried several kilograms of gutka in bags from dealers in Bengaluru, police said.He allegedly divided the consignment into small quantities and sold them to retail traders for profit. Based on a tip off, a police team was conducting a vehicle check when they intercepted the bus and found a large quantity of gutka in a few bags that belonged to the bus conductor. A case was registered. Later, Sivanathan was lodged at Central Prison in Vellore. A probe is under way. Published - October 12, 2026 12:45 am IST