Massive Cash Seizure of Rs 18 Lakh in Cooch Behar Ahead of Elections
Synopsis
A substantial cash seizure of Rs 18 lakh occurred in Cooch Behar just days before the Assembly elections in West Bengal, raising concerns about election integrity. The detained driver has been unable to explain the source of the funds.
Key Takeaways
Rs 18 lakh in cash was seized in Cooch Behar.
The driver could not provide documentation for the cash.
Election Commission officials were present during the search.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the funds.
Similar cash seizures have occurred in recent weeks across West Bengal.
Kolkata, March 25 (NationPress) In the lead-up to the West Bengal Assembly elections, a significant cash seizure has occurred in the state. Authorities reported that during a search at a checkpoint close to the Naya Bazar area in the Cooch Behar district of north Bengal, Rs 18 lakh was confiscated, as confirmed by police on Wednesday.
The cash was being transported in a vehicle, and the driver was unable to provide any documentation justifying the amount. Consequently, he was taken into custody. Election Commission officials were also on-site during the checkpoint search. A formal report has been filed with the District Magistrate regarding this incident. The reason for transporting the cash remains unclear, and investigators are interrogating the detained driver to trace the origin of the funds.
On the same day, a naka checking operation was underway on the Sitai-Sitalkuchi State Highway near Nutan Bazar in the Sitalkuchi block. During this operation, Election Commission officials intercepted a red four-wheeler traveling from Goshaighat to Dinhata.
“Upon inspecting the vehicle, we recovered Rs 18 lakh. The driver’s explanations regarding the source of the funds were inconsistent,” stated a senior officer from the Cooch Behar district police.
The police have confiscated the cash and detained the driver for further questioning.
Present during the naka checking were Election Commission official Souvik Mitra and Anthony Horo, Officer-in-Charge of the Sitalkuchi Police Station.
Law enforcement officials indicated that these search operations would persist as the elections approach.
Recently, police also seized over Rs 3.70 lakh from three different vehicles during checks at two separate points along the Bengal-Assam border. Moreover, Rs 25 lakh was found in a car trunk in the Eco Park Police Station area of Kolkata. In all these cases, no documentation was provided for the cash found.
Point of View
This incident underscores the ongoing issues of financial irregularities during election periods. With significant sums of cash being transported without proper documentation, it raises serious questions about transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was seized in Cooch Behar?
Authorities seized Rs 18 lakh in cash from a vehicle during a checkpoint search.
Why was the driver detained?
The driver was detained for failing to provide documentation for the transported cash.
What are the implications of this cash seizure?
The incident raises concerns about electoral integrity and potential illegal funding in the upcoming elections.
Are there ongoing investigations?
Yes, investigators are interrogating the detained driver to trace the source of the funds.
Have there been other cash seizures in West Bengal recently?
Yes, police have recently recovered other significant amounts of cash during similar operations in the region.
