Kolkata, April 6: Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, Kolkata police, along with the Static Surveillance Team (SST), seized a significant amount of cash during a checkpoint operation in the Netaji Nagar police station area on Sunday.
According to police reports, the seizure occurred on NSC Bose Road at the plywood turn in the Tollygunge Assembly constituency of South Kolkata.
A vehicle coming from the Alipore direction was stopped based on suspicion. Upon searching the car, police officials recovered ₹37,97,000 in cash.
The police have detained a 36-year-old individual named Ashutosh Agarwal for questioning. However, he reportedly could not provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the source of the cash or the purpose of carrying such a large sum, especially before the elections.
Authorities suspect that the cash was being transported illegally, potentially for election-related purposes. The police are currently investigating the rightful ownership and intent behind this substantial amount. The seized cash has been handed over to the Income Tax Department following proper legal procedures.
The police stated that the owner of the money will be summoned to present valid and supporting documents. If adequate proof is provided, the amount may be returned; otherwise, it will be deposited with the government.
In collaboration with the Election Commission, the West Bengal police have set up multiple checkpoint locations across the state to confiscate unaccounted cash that could be used for election purposes.
Voting in West Bengal’s 294 Assembly constituencies will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with results to be announced on May 4. The Election Commission has implemented various measures to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections, appointing a specific number of observers in all constituencies.
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