East Medinipur, 18 April (H.S.): Nearly ₹1 crore in cash was seized during a naka checking operation in West Bengal’s East Medinipur district ahead of the Assembly elections, officials said Saturday.

According to sources, personnel of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) were conducting checks in the Nikashi Bazar area under Tamluk police station on Friday evening when they intercepted a private vehicle.

Upon searching the car, officials recovered a large amount of cash, estimated to be around ₹1 crore.

Two persons travelling in the vehicle identified themselves as bank employees and claimed that the money belonged to the Tamluk-Ghatal Central Cooperative Bank. They also produced identity cards but failed to provide valid supporting documents or a clear account of the cash at the spot, officials said.

Following the incident, the bank’s chairman and other senior officials reached the location and presented certain documents. However, authorities said the explanation was not satisfactory.

“The entire amount has been seized for now due to lack of adequate documentation,” an official said.

With Assembly elections approaching, the police and the Election Commission authorities are examining whether the cash was meant for any unlawful purpose.

Further investigation is underway, officials added.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey