Kolkata, Sep 21 — A passenger was caught with bundles of notes at Howrah station in West Bengal, police said on Monday.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) arrested Sujit Kale, a resident of Maharashtra, and recovered around Rs 67 lakh in cash from him. Kale failed to provide a satisfactory explanation about the source of the money and was taken into custody.
On Sunday night, RPF personnel were patrolling the New Complex of Howrah station when they noticed Kale. His movements appeared suspicious, prompting questioning. As his answers were unsatisfactory, the RPF searched his bag and found bundles of notes amounting to Rs 67 lakh.
According to RPF officials, Kale is a resident of Solapur in Maharashtra. During interrogation, he claimed to own a shop in the Gaya Township area and said he had travelled to Howrah by Mumbai Mail on Sunday night. He told officials he had brought the money to buy gold and silver from Burrabazar in Kolkata. However, his explanation did not convince the RPF.
Officials said Kale could not explain the source of the bundled notes or produce any documents for the cash.
He was arrested, and the Income Tax Department was informed. Sources said the recovered money and the arrested person will be handed over to the Income Tax Department.
Authorities noted that surveillance in railway and metro stations has been heightened ahead of the Durga Puja festive season. Special checks are also being conducted on the movement of large amounts of cash in view of the Assembly by‑elections in Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies on October 6.
Naka checking is being carried out on highways to prevent transfer of cash in poll‑bound constituencies.