Kolkata, Aug 11 — A ‘Red Corner’ notice has been issued against Birbhum‑based stone quarry owner Tulu Mondal, accused of corruption during the previous Trinamool Congress government era. Police have not yet found any trace of the businessman.
An FIR has already been lodged against him, and investigators want to question him. Since he is absconding, police approached the court.
On Monday, the government filed an application to issue a ‘Red Corner’ notice against Tulu. The Suri court in Birbhum district approved the application on Tuesday. Public prosecutor Bibhas Chatterjee said Mondal has been given time to appear in court by Friday, August 14. If he does not appear within the stipulated time, he will be considered a proclaimed offender.
Recently, police recovered Rs 28.5 crore in cash from the house of Tulu’s relative Minar Mondal in Deucha village of Mohammadbazar police station in Birbhum. About 15 kg of gold was also recovered. Since then, Tulu has been under the scanner of investigators.
Police are conducting search operations to trace his properties, raiding his various addresses and visiting the houses of his relatives and close associates.
The government lawyer said that if Tulu does not appear, he will be declared a proclaimed criminal. After that, the process of confiscating his property can begin. It has been alleged that he has stolen revenue worth about Rs 3,000 crore in the last five years.
On Monday, police arrested Ripon Mondal, a relative of Tulu. Investigators raided his house in Ausgram of East Burdwan district. He was produced in the Suri court on Tuesday. Police also presented two other arrested persons, Sheikh Riazul Islam and Sheikh Noor Alam, in court and requested custody. The judge granted 10 days of police custody.
All names have been linked to the stone syndicate. The accused’s lawyer Rafaul Haque argued that only his clients were being implicated and contended that officials who held administrative positions at that time should also be brought under investigation.