Kolkata, July 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
West Bengal Police on Wednesday recovered a huge quantity of cash and around 10 kilograms of gold during a search operation at the residence of a relative of an influential stone quarry owner in Birbhum district.
The raid, which began early in the morning, was carried out at the residence of Minar Mondal, a relative of stone quarry operator Tulu Mondal. Officials said the counting of the seized cash was still underway, with five currency-counting machines brought in from a nearby public sector bank branch to expedite the process.
According to an officer associated with the investigation, preliminary estimates suggest that nearly ₹32 crore in cash has been recovered. The exact amount will be confirmed after the counting process is completed.
Police also seized approximately 10 kilograms of gold from the premises. Officials said the final value of the gold would be determined after assessment at prevailing market rates.
Investigators said they are examining the source of the seized cash and gold and whether the assets are linked to Tulu Mondal, who has previously faced allegations related to illegal stone mining and whose name had surfaced during investigations into the West Bengal cattle smuggling case.
Tulu Mondal was regarded as a close associate of former Trinamool Congress Birbhum district president Anubrata Mondal, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2022 in connection with the alleged cattle smuggling racket.
According to local residents, Minar Mondal, who had worked as a driver with a state-run transport corporation, was also actively associated with Tulu Mondal’s stone quarry business.
The recovery of such a large quantity of cash and gold has surprised local residents and prompted a detailed investigation into its ownership and source. Authorities said further details would be disclosed after the cash counting is completed and the valuation of the seized gold is finalised.
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