Tripura Police have arrested a Tripura State Rifles (TSR) rifleman and a Health Department employee, while detaining and interrogating more than 15 others, after a viral video showed a woman displaying what appeared to be several crores of rupees in cash at a residence in the state's Dhalai district, officials confirmed on Monday, 18 May. Investigators suspect the money may be linked to an inter-state racket involved in illegal financial dealings and drug trafficking.

The Arrests

Police arrested Ajit Debbarma (48), a rifleman with the Tripura State Rifles, and his wife Menaka Debbarma (45), an employee of the Health Department. Both are residents of Abhoynagar on the outskirts of Agartala. In addition to the two formal arrests, police have detained five individuals and are questioning approximately 10 others to gather further details.

The detained individuals include women, police personnel, TSR personnel, and a Health Department staffer. According to a senior police official, all are being interrogated at Ambassa and Agartala police stations, with formal arrest decisions to follow the completion of interrogation.

How the Case Came to Light

The case surfaced last week when videos showing bundles of ₹100, ₹500, and ₹2,000 currency notes inside a house in the Bhatkhowri area under Salema police station in Dhalai district went viral on social media. The house reportedly belongs to police constable Piyush Debbarma, a resident of Salema.

Following the video's circulation, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Northern Range) Rati Ranjan Debnath directed Dhalai district Superintendent of Police Rushikesh Jaysing Desai to initiate an immediate probe. A police team led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Nirupan Datta and Salema police station Officer-in-Charge Dipak Das subsequently raided the residence. During questioning of Piyush Debbarma's wife, police reportedly obtained the name of another woman, Sanjana Debbarma, who was also detained. Constable Piyush Debbarma himself was detained and subjected to extensive interrogation.

What the Government Said

Chief Minister Manik Saha said he directed concerned officials to act after watching the viral video himself. 'We never hide or protect anyone accused of a crime. Law will take its own course,' Saha told the media.

Director General of Police Anurag reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction over the incident and directed senior officials to rush to the area and take stringent action. Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Manchak Ipper confirmed that a case has been formally registered and an in-depth investigation is underway.

Scale of the Investigation

Intensive search operations are underway across different parts of Dhalai and West Tripura districts. According to top sources, nearly ₹5 crore in cash has come under the scanner during the investigation, though police are yet to physically recover any cash from the residence of the constable's wife.

Notably, the detainees allegedly made several allegations and counter-allegations against one another during interrogation, further complicating the probe. Police suspect a larger organised network may be operating behind the scenes.

Suspected Drug and Fraud Links

Investigators are working to determine whether the funds originated from fraud or narcotics trafficking. Officials suspect the money may have come from illegal drug operations involving contraband smuggled into Tripura from outside the state. This comes amid longstanding concerns about Tripura's vulnerability as a transit corridor for drug smuggling given its proximity to Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are expected as interrogations conclude.