Birbhum Seizure: 15kg Gold and ₹28.5 Crore Cash Found in Former Bus Driver’s Residence
West Bengal police conducted a massive 15-hour raid, recovering significant assets from a relative of a prominent Trinamool-linked businessman. The operation marks one of the state's largest financial seizures since the Partha Chatterjee investigation.
Wealth Cache Discovered in Birbhum Raid
West Bengal police authorities executed a major financial seizure on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, recovering 15 kilograms of gold and ₹28.5 crore in liquid cash. The operation targeted the residence of Minar Mondal, a former government bus driver, located in the Birbhum district. Law enforcement officials confirmed that Mondal was arrested following the 15-hour search, which began late Tuesday evening after receiving a confidential tip.
To process the massive volume of currency, officers utilized five counting machines. The paper currency was found packed into 35 sacks, while the gold—valued at approximately ₹21.5 crore—was discovered as solid bars. The total assets were eventually secured in five large trunks for transport as evidence.
Connections to Political and Mining Syndicates
Investigators are focusing on the relationship between Minar Mondal and his brother-in-law, Tulu Mondal (also known as Mohd Nazibuddin). Tulu Mondal is a businessman and stone trader currently evading authorities. Official reports link him closely to Anubrata Mondal, a powerful Trinamool Congress figure from Birbhum who was previously incarcerated for over two years in connection with a cattle smuggling case. The authorities are currently probing 70 properties and various businesses associated with the broader network, including rice mills and land deals.
This raid follows a pattern of high-value recoveries in the state, drawing comparisons to the ₹50 crore and 5kg of gold seized from Arpita Mukherjee during the investigation into former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee. The current crackdown signifies an intensified effort to dismantle illicit networks involved in stone quarrying and sand smuggling.
Shift in Enforcement Strategy
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari characterized the operation as a strike against the "sand mafia" and pledged a zero-tolerance policy toward public resource exploitation. Adhikari asserted that the state government is now reclaiming revenue that was previously siphoned off through illegal industrial activities. The administration claims that closing these revenue leakages has already improved government earnings within a month of new enforcement measures.
- Total Cash Value: ₹28.5 crore.
- Total Gold Weight: 15 kilograms (Market value ₹21.5 crore).
- Operation Duration: 15 hours.
- Key Suspects: Minar Mondal (Arrested), Tulu Mondal (Absconding).
Source: The Hindu — National
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