Multiple sacks of cash recovered from Baduria field after arrest of TMC municipal chairman

A large quantity of cash was allegedly recovered from beneath a jute field in Baduria on Wednesday after police questioned arrested TMC municipal chairman Dipankar Bhattacharya. According to reports, investigators had earlier recovered around ₹80 lakh from Bhattacharya’s computer centre following his arrest on Tuesday. During interrogation and reconstruction of events, he allegedly informed police that additional cash had been buried underground in a nearby field.

On Wednesday morning, local farmers working in the jute field beside Bhattacharya’s residence reportedly noticed suspicious objects beneath the soil and informed the police. Officers, who were already conducting investigation-related movements in the area with the arrested municipal chairman, immediately reached the location along with him.

Police then began digging at the identified spot inside the field. During the search operation, officers allegedly recovered several sacks and suitcases containing large amounts of cash buried underground. Initial estimates suggested that the recovered amount could run into several crores of rupees, although officials had not yet announced a final figure.

Residents in the area alleged that people were often forced to pay money for obtaining municipal letters, notices and approvals. One resident claimed that amounts ranging between ₹5,000 and ₹15,000 were regularly collected and also alleged that gold could have been hidden in the area. Police continued examining the recovered materials and surrounding locations as part of the ongoing investigation.

Reacting to the recovery, BJP leader Sajal Ghosh accused the All India Trinamool Congress of cultivating “money trees” in the jute field. He claimed the recovery reflected the scale of alleged corruption and stated that resigning from party positions would not protect those involved from investigation or legal scrutiny.