Kolkata: A massive cache of cash and gold recovered during a police raid in West Bengal’s Birbhum district has triggered a high profile investigation into suspected illegal mining and financial irregularities. Officials have seized more than rs 28 crore in cash and around 15 kilograms of gold from the residence of a former government bus driver, making it one of the state’s biggest recoveries in recent years.
The raid was carried out at the home of Minar Mondal in Deucha village under the Mohammad Bazar police station limits. Acting on specific intelligence, Birbhum Police searched the premises and initially recovered around rs 5.5 crore in cash. As the counting continued overnight with the help of multiple currency counting machines, the total amount crossed rs 28 crore. Alongside the cash, officers also recovered nearly 15 kg of gold, including bars and biscuits.
Minar Mondal was taken into custody shortly after the raid. During preliminary questioning, police said he claimed that the seized cash and gold belonged to Tulu (Tullu) Mondal, also known as Mohd Nazibuddin, a businessman allegedly linked to illegal sand and stone mining operations in the region. Investigators are now working to verify those claims and establish the origin of the assets.
Police officials have not yet disclosed the complete inventory of the seized valuables, saying the verification process is still underway. They are examining financial records, property documents and business transactions to determine whether the recovered assets are connected to illegal mining activities or other financial offences. More searches and questioning of individuals linked to the case are expected as the investigation progresses.
The recovery has also sparked a political debate in the state. Tulu Mondal has previously been associated with the stone trade in Birbhum and has been linked by political opponents to former Trinamool Congress leader Anubrata Mondal. Following the raid, rival political parties traded allegations over the alleged protection of illegal mining networks. However, no political leader has been named as an accused in the police case so far.
Investigators have stressed that the focus remains on tracing the source of the money and gold and identifying everyone involved. Officials are expected to seek assistance from financial and tax agencies if required, as they examine whether the seized assets represent unaccounted wealth or proceeds from illegal activities.
With the investigation still in its early stages, authorities believe the case could lead to further recoveries and arrests. The outcome will depend on the findings of the ongoing probe, which is expected to shed more light on the alleged network operating in the district.
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