In a major crackdown, police have arrested Minar Mondal, a relative of a stone mafia, and his son following the recovery of a massive cache of cash and gold from their residence in Deucha, Mohammadbazar in Birbhum district. The arrests were made on Thursday morning after a day-long search operation led to the seizure of approximately Rs 28.5 crore in cash and 15 kg of gold bars. Investigators estimate the total value of the recovered assets at around Rs 50 crore.
The operation began in the early hours of Wednesday when police and central forces reached Minar’s residence around 3 am. After failing to gain entry, officers broke open the door and conducted an extensive search. A huge quantity of cash, wrapped in paper and cloth, was discovered inside an almirah. Five note-counting machines were deployed, and the counting process continued for nearly 19 hours under videographic documentation.
Following the recovery, the house was sealed, and a heavy police presence was deployed in the area. Confirming the arrests, Birbhum Additional Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Gaikwad Nilesh Shrikant stated that both Minar and his son were taken into custody as part of the ongoing investigation.
According to police sources, Minar is a relative of Najibuddin Mondal alias Tulu, a controversial stone trader in Birbhum. During initial interrogation, Minar reportedly claimed that the seized cash belonged to Tulu and his syndicate, which allegedly conducts transactions primarily in cash and gold. Investigators suspect that the recovered assets are proceeds of illicit activities linked to the syndicate.
However, Minar’s wife has denied any knowledge of the stash, claiming that Tulu had stored the money in their home nearly a year ago and kept the almirah key with himself. She added that the family’s daily expenses are met through pension income.
Police officials have indicated that the entire transaction network of the syndicate operated outside formal banking channels, relying exclusively on cash and gold. Authorities believe the recovered assets represent illegal earnings generated through unregulated quarrying and related activities.
Local sources reveal that although Minar is officially employed as a government bus driver, he has longstanding ties to the stone and quarrying business. His alleged association with Tulu has now come under scrutiny, raising questions about how such a vast accumulation of wealth was stored at his residence.
Tulu, once considered a close associate of TMC strongman in the district Anubrata Mondal, has previously been linked to multiple illegal operations, including unauthorised stone quarrying and cattle smuggling. In 2022, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at his residence and offices.
The development has triggered political reactions across the state. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari took to social media to praise the state police, including senior officials in Birbhum, for their action against what he described as the “sand mafia.” He reiterated a stance of “zero tolerance” towards corruption.
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