A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, dismissed a petition filed by absconding stone-quarry owner Tulu Mondal, also known as Mohammad Nazibuddin, from Birbhum district in West Bengal, who had sought interim protection from coercive police action, including arrest under a warrant issued by a district court.

What the Court Heard

Mondal's petition came up for hearing on Tuesday afternoon, drawing strong opposition from the state government's counsel. The state submitted that a lower court had earlier directed the accused to appear physically before it on 14 September. The government counsel further argued that data from the National Intelligence Grid indicated Mondal had left the country on 23 May and remained abroad.

'From the National Intelligence Grid, we have come to know that the accused left the country on 23 May. He is absconding till date, since the charges against him are quite serious. He might repeat such offences if he is granted interim protection now,' the state government counsel argued before the bench.

Court's Decision and Police Report

The state police also placed a progress report before the court on Tuesday. After going through the report at the state counsel's request, Justice Bhattacharya dismissed Mondal's plea for interim protection. The court's refusal effectively keeps the district court's arrest warrant operative against him.

Scale of Alleged Wrongdoing

Investigating officers have already confiscated assets worth ₹220 crore belonging to Mondal, comprising cash and gold. However, they believe this may represent only a fraction of his total holdings. Separately, investigators have gathered information about nearly 400 bighas — roughly 125 acres — of land allegedly owned directly or indirectly by Mondal.

Notably, investigators have also uncovered an alleged scheme involving the use of fake duplicate carbon copies by stone quarries to evade crores of rupees in state taxes, reportedly during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. Several state government officials, who allegedly acted as partners in the tax evasion process, are also reportedly under the scanner, according to sources.

International Warrant in Force

Beyond the district court's arrest warrant, an Interpol Red Corner Notice has also been issued against Mondal, broadening the scope of the pursuit to an international level. Together, the multiple legal instruments signal the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case.

With the High Court now closing the door on interim relief, investigators are expected to intensify efforts to trace and extradite Mondal, whose alleged network of tax evasion and undisclosed assets continues to widen with each new disclosure.