The Calcutta High Court has refused to quash an FIR against accused sand and stone businessman Tulu Mondal in connection with the recovery of nearly 50 crore rupees in cash and gold from Birbhum. Justice Saugata Bhattacharya noted that Mondal left the country on May 23. The court directed the police to proceed with the investigation according to the law.
The court pointed out that incriminating materials suspected to be proceeds of crime were recovered from the house of Mondal's relative, and the investigation is currently at an early stage. Mondal's lawyer argued that possessing cash and gold is not a crime by itself and that the Income Tax Department should handle such matters. The court responded by asking if any person of common sense would keep such a huge amount of cash and gold in a cupboard.
Police recovered gold bars and nearly 50 crore rupees in cash during a search at the house of Mondal's brother-in-law, Minar Mondal, on July 29. Minar Mondal was arrested during the operation. Police allege that the seized property is part of earnings from illegal sand mining. The state government stated that charge sheets have been filed against Mondal in other cases, and the High Court will hear another petition filed by Mondal on August 27.
