Kolkata, 07 August (H.S.) : The Birbhum district administration has issued a notification for the auction of a large quantity of stone seized from premises linked to alleged stone baron Tulu Mondal, with the auction scheduled to be held on September 18.

According to officials, around 1.6 million cubic feet of stone, estimated to be worth nearly ₹32 crore, was seized from a parking yard at Mohammad Bazar allegedly associated with Mondal. The authorities claim the material had been illegally stockpiled.

The notification comes after the state Land and Land Reforms Department earlier announced the auction of sand worth around ₹10 crore that had also been seized from locations linked to Mondal.

The action follows an ongoing investigation into Mondal's alleged illegal mining and financial activities. Recently, Birbhum Police recovered ₹28.5 crore in cash and 15 kilograms of gold during a raid at the residence of Minar Mondal, a relative of Tulu Mondal, in Deucha village under Mohammad Bazar police station.

Police subsequently registered a suo motu case naming Tulu Mondal as the prime accused. Investigators said Mondal has been absconding since the declaration of the West Bengal Assembly election results on May 4, with officials suspecting that he may have fled the country, although this has not been officially confirmed.

According to police, Tulu Mondal is facing multiple criminal cases, including a murder case, and has also approached the Calcutta High Court seeking security and legal protection.

Birbhum Superintendent of Police Bidit Raj Bundesh said assets worth approximately ₹220 crore linked to Mondal have so far been frozen. The frozen assets include the ₹28.5 crore in cash and 15 kg of gold recovered from Minar Mondal's residence.

During questioning, Minar Mondal reportedly told investigators that Tulu Mondal had entrusted him with the responsibility of looking after his properties before disappearing. However, he claimed he had no knowledge of Mondal's current whereabouts.

Police said the investigation into the alleged illegal mining network, financial transactions and associated assets is continuing.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh