West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Mohammad Bazar, Birbhum | July 30 : The breakthrough during an ongoing investigation into alleged illegal financial activities in West Bengal, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday recovered a massive cache of cash and gold from the residence of Minar Mondal, a close relative of Birbhum stone trader Nazibuddin alias Tulu Mondal, in Mohammad Bazar. Following the search operation, the CBI arrested Minar Mondal and intensified its probe into the source of the recovered assets.

The agency seized ₹28.5 crore in cash and approximately 15 kilograms of gold from the premises. The combined estimated market value of the seized cash and precious metal is around ₹50 crore, making it one of the most significant recoveries in the district in recent years.

The operation began early on Thursday morning when CBI teams, accompanied by security personnel, cordoned off Minar Mondal's residence in the Deucha area of Mohammad Bazar. The locality remained under heavy security throughout the day as investigators conducted an extensive search inside the house and surrounding property.

CBI sources said arrangements were being made to transport the recovered cash and gold under tight security to the agency's office in Suri for further documentation and investigation. Officials also sealed Minar Mondal's residence after completing the search, indicating that forensic and financial examinations of the property may continue as part of the ongoing investigation.

The dramatic recovery has triggered fresh questions regarding the origin and ownership of the seized wealth. Investigators are expected to examine financial records, property documents, and possible links to other individuals connected with the case as they attempt to establish whether the assets were acquired through legitimate means or are linked to illegal activities.

Minar Mondal's wife has denied any involvement of her family in the matter and claimed they had no knowledge of the valuables stored inside the house. Speaking after the raid, she alleged that the cash and jewellery had been kept at their residence nearly a year ago by Tulu Mondal, who, according to her, retained possession of the cupboard keys.

She further maintained that her family survives on pension income and has no connection with the money or gold recovered during the CBI operation. According to her statement, neither she nor other members of the household had access to the valuables allegedly kept inside the locked cupboards.

The incident has also sparked a political controversy. Reacting to the development, senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh alleged that such illegal operations had flourished during the Trinamool Congress government's tenure and claimed that local administrative authorities had previously extended protection to those involved. He said that as more evidence has come to light, law enforcement agencies have now been compelled to take action against those allegedly connected with the case.

The CBI has not yet disclosed the complete findings of the investigation or revealed whether additional arrests are likely. However, officials indicated that the probe has gathered momentum following the massive seizure and that further questioning, financial scrutiny, and forensic analysis are expected in the coming days.

The arrest of Minar Mondal and the recovery of assets worth nearly ₹50 crore, the investigation has become one of the most closely watched cases in Birbhum, as authorities continue to trace the source of the cash and gold and examine possible links to a wider financial network.