₹1 crore cash seized from private vehicle during naka checking in Tamluk

In a major seizure ahead of the Assembly elections, central forces recovered ₹1 crore in cash during a naka checking operation in Tamluk, triggering widespread concern and scrutiny. The incident took place on Friday evening in the Nikashi Bazar area under Tamluk police station, where a private vehicle was intercepted during routine checks.

Upon searching the vehicle, officials discovered the large sum of cash, leading to immediate seizure. The two individuals inside the vehicle claimed to be bank employees and stated that the money belonged to the Tamluk-Ghatal Central Cooperative Bank. However, despite producing identification cards, they reportedly failed to provide valid documents explaining the source or purpose of the cash at the time of checking.

Following the seizure, the chairman of the cooperative bank, Gopal Chandra Maity, along with other officials, reached the spot and attempted to justify the transaction. He stated that the cash was being transported from the Nandakumar branch to a cooperative society in Bhabanipur for distribution as loans to farmers, adding that such transfers are part of routine banking operations. Despite these claims, authorities retained the cash due to lack of immediate verifiable documentation.

The incident comes amid heightened vigilance across the state, with intensified naka checking operations to curb illegal cash movement ahead of elections. Officials are now investigating whether the seized money was part of legitimate banking activity or linked to a larger network attempting to influence the electoral process.