West Bengal Raid has become one of the biggest law enforcement operations in the state this year after police recovered more than ₹28 crore in cash and 15 kilograms of gold during a late-night search at a residence in Birbhum district. The gold is estimated to be worth around ₹21 crore, taking the total value of the seizure to nearly ₹49 crore.
The scale of the recovery stunned investigators. According to officials, the volume of cash was so massive that five currency counting machines reportedly stopped working while officials were counting the notes. The operation has now triggered an extensive investigation into the source of the money, the ownership of the gold, and the alleged network behind the suspected illegal assets.
West Bengal Raid Leads to Massive Cash and Gold Recovery
The raid was carried out on Wednesday night after police received confidential information regarding suspected illegal assets stored at a residence in Birbhum district.
Initially, investigators believed they had recovered approximately ₹5.5 crore in cash. However, as officials continued counting the currency through the night, the figure kept rising. By the time the counting process was completed, the total cash seized had crossed ₹28 crore.
During the search, officers also recovered 15 kilograms of gold, which is estimated to have a market value of around ₹21 crore. Together, the cash and gold brought the total seizure close to ₹49 crore, making it one of the largest recoveries in recent years in the region.
Police officials spent several hours documenting and counting the recovered assets, while senior officers supervised the operation throughout the night.
Commendable job by our Law Enforcement personnel for the crackdown on Sand Mafia.
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) July 29, 2026
Following a precise operation based on source based information, Birbhum Police conducted a major raid under Mohammad Bazar PS targeting the hideout of illegal sand mafia Tullu Mondal alias Mohd… pic.twitter.com/Ln4XJCWKKY
Former Bus Driver Arrested After Search
Police arrested Minar Mandal, the owner of the house where the cash and gold were recovered.
According to investigators, Mandal had previously worked as a bus driver in the state transport department before entering the stone business several years ago.
Authorities claim that he later became associated with the stone quarrying and crushing business and maintained close links with local business interests operating in the sector.
Following his arrest, Mandal was taken into custody for questioning as investigators began examining his financial dealings and business connections.
Police Investigating Alleged Links to Stone Business Network
During the investigation, police said Minar Mandal is related to Tulu Mandal, also known as Mohammad Najibuddin, a businessman involved in the stone trade.
Investigators believe Minar Mandal was connected to Tulu Mandal’s quarry and stone crushing operations. Authorities are now examining whether the recovered cash and gold were connected to activities linked to this business network.
Police have not yet announced any final conclusions regarding the ownership of the seized assets. However, they confirmed that financial records, business transactions, and other documents are being examined as part of the investigation.
Accused Claims Cash and Gold Belong to Relative
According to police sources, Minar Mandal told investigators during questioning that the recovered cash and gold did not belong to him.
He allegedly claimed that the assets belonged to Tulu Mandal and were connected to an illegal syndicate operating in the area.
Investigators are now working to verify these claims by examining financial records, business transactions, ownership documents, and other evidence collected during the raid.
Officials have not publicly confirmed whether additional arrests will be made, but the investigation is reportedly expanding to identify everyone involved in the alleged network.
Investigation Focuses on Source of Wealth
One of the biggest questions before investigators is how such an enormous quantity of cash and gold was accumulated.
Police are attempting to determine:
- The original source of the money.
- Whether the assets are linked to illegal financial activities.
- The role of individuals connected to the stone business.
- Whether any larger criminal or financial network was involved.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific intelligence that led to the raid, nor have they officially linked the recovery to any particular financial crime or illegal operation.
Officials say the investigation is still at an early stage and more details are expected to emerge after forensic analysis and financial scrutiny.
Political Links Under Scanner
The investigation has also drawn political attention because of the reported connections between individuals involved in the case.
Police stated that Tulu Mandal is considered to be close to former Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Anubrata Mandal, who has remained a prominent political figure in Birbhum.
According to reports, Tulu Mandal has long been associated with businesses operating in the district, including quarrying and stone crushing units.
Investigators are examining whether these political associations have any relevance to the ongoing investigation. However, no official findings have been announced linking political leaders to any wrongdoing in this case.
Political Reactions Intensify After Raid
The massive seizure has triggered sharp political reactions within the Trinamool Congress, with different factions trading allegations over the individuals allegedly connected to the case.
Senior party leaders have publicly demanded a transparent investigation into the ownership of the recovered cash and gold.
Some leaders argued that anyone found to have links with those involved should also be questioned, regardless of their political position.
Others stressed that the focus should remain on identifying the real owners of the seized assets rather than making political accusations before the investigation is completed.
The internal political debate has added another dimension to what is already one of the state’s most closely watched investigations.
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Luxury Wedding Returns to Public Attention
The investigation has also revived discussions surrounding the extravagant wedding of Tulu Mandal’s daughter in 2024.
According to earlier reports, the wedding was estimated to have cost nearly ₹100 crore, attracting widespread attention across West Bengal.
The high-profile ceremony reportedly featured several well-known personalities from the Bengali film industry, along with Bollywood actors Arbaaz Khan and Zareen Khan, making it one of the most talked-about social events in the region at the time.
Following the latest raid, the lavish celebration has once again become a subject of public discussion as investigators continue examining financial transactions linked to individuals connected with the case.
Authorities Continue Expanding Probe
Police officials say the investigation is far from over.
Financial experts and investigators are now examining bank records, property documents, business transactions, and other evidence to determine the actual ownership of the seized assets.
Authorities are also expected to question additional individuals who may have had financial or business dealings with those already under investigation.
Officials have emphasized that every lead will be examined before reaching any conclusions.
West Bengal Raid Becomes One of State’s Biggest Seizures
The West Bengal Raid has emerged as one of the most significant enforcement operations in the state in recent years due to the sheer volume of cash and gold recovered.
With nearly ₹49 crore worth of assets seized, investigators are now focused on uncovering the complete financial trail behind the recovery. As questioning continues and financial records are scrutinized, authorities hope to establish where the money originated, who ultimately owned the assets, and whether a larger illegal syndicate was operating behind the scenes.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are expected to release further updates as more evidence is analyzed and additional inquiries are completed.