Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata
Kolkata, Jul 30: West Bengal Police have seized over Rs 28 crore in cash and 15 kg of gold during a raid at a residence in Birbhum district, leading to the arrest of a man allegedly linked to a stone trading network.
The raid was conducted at the house of Minar Mondal, a bus driver and relative of stone trader Tulu Mondal, who is reportedly associated with former Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal.
Police sources said the operation began on Wednesday night, with officials initially recovering around Rs 5.5 crore in cash. The counting continued through the night and the total amount recovered crossed Rs 28 crore by Wednesday morning.
The huge cash haul reportedly caused difficulties for counting machines, with five machines failing during the process. Apart from the cash, 15 kg of gold worth around Rs 21 crore was also seized.
Minar Mondal has been arrested in connection with the recovery. According to police, he allegedly told investigators that the cash and gold belonged to Tulu Mondal and his alleged network.
Police are now probing the source of the money and the financial dealings linked to the recovered assets. Officials are also investigating possible links with stone quarries and crushing units allegedly connected to Tulu Mondal.
Several senior police officials were present during the raid, though authorities have not yet revealed the exact basis of the operation or whether it is linked to any specific financial offence.
The seizure has triggered a political controversy in West Bengal, with leaders from different factions of the Trinamool Congress trading allegations over alleged links between the accused and influential figures.
TMC leaders questioned the connections of those involved, while another faction demanded a detailed investigation into the source of the recovered wealth.
Meanwhile, the state government said its action against corruption and illegal activities would continue. Leaders claimed that enforcement agencies would take strict action against those accused of accumulating wealth through unlawful means.
The recovery has also brought attention to a lavish wedding hosted by Tulu Mondal for his daughter in Birbhum's Suri in 2024, which reportedly saw the presence of several Bengali and Bollywood personalities.
Police continue to investigate the source of the seized cash and gold and the alleged network behind the massive recovery.