₹16.94 lakh cash seized in Kolkata’s Burtolla during election checks; 2 detained

In a significant development amid heightened election surveillance, authorities seized ₹16.94 lakh in cash from a vehicle in Kolkata’s Burtolla area on Tuesday morning. The interception was carried out around 9:55 am by a joint team comprising SST officials, CAPF personnel, and Burtolla police during routine naka checking operations in the Shayampukur Assembly constituency.

According to officials, the vehicle was stopped and inspected, during which one of the passengers, identified as Fazlur Rahaman, was found carrying a black leather bag containing multiple bundles of ₹500 notes. Upon verification and counting, the total amount recovered from his possession was ₹16,94,500. Another individual, Vivek Ojha, was also present in the vehicle at the time of interception.

The operation was conducted in the presence of Shivabrata Roy, the nodal officer of the Shayampukur 166 Assembly constituency, ensuring adherence to election guidelines. The seizure comes as part of intensified monitoring to prevent the movement of unaccounted cash during the ongoing election period. Officials have indicated that standard procedures are being followed to verify the source and purpose of the seized money.