Kolkata, 01 August (H.S.): Police have arrested Sheikh Wasim, the nephew of Birbhum stone trader Tulu Mondal, in connection with the recovery of cash and gold worth crores of rupees linked to the businessman. Wasim was apprehended in Siliguri late on Friday night and brought to Birbhum, where he was produced before the Rampurhat Sub-Divisional Court on Saturday.

According to the police, investigators are examining Wasim's role in Tulu Mondal's business operations and his possible links to the seizure of a massive cache of cash and gold. He had been on the run for the past two days. Sources claimed that he was planning to flee to Nepal via Siliguri but was arrested before he could execute the plan.

The case came to light on Wednesday after police recovered ₹28.5 crore in cash and 15 kilograms of gold from the residence of Minar Mondal, a relative of Tulu Mondal, in Deucha village under Mohammad Bazar police station in Birbhum district. Minar Mondal was arrested on Thursday morning.

During interrogation, Minar reportedly told investigators that Tulu Mondal had entrusted him with the responsibility of looking after his properties before going into hiding. Police sources said Wasim's name also surfaced during Minar's questioning, leading to his arrest. Siliguri Police subsequently handed him over to the Birbhum district police.

As part of the investigation, police also conducted extensive searches at Minar Mondal's residences in Suri and Sontshal on Thursday. After hours of searches, the Suri house was sealed late at night. However, officials have not disclosed whether any additional items were recovered from the premises.

Investigators are probing whether Tulu Mondal's stone business was involved in financial irregularities, tax evasion, illegal accumulation of wealth, extortion or forcible land grabbing. Police are also examining the source of the seized cash and gold.

A case has been registered under Sections 409 and 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police have frozen Tulu Mondal's bank accounts. According to investigators, Mondal has been absconding since the declaration of the West Bengal Assembly election results, and efforts are continuing to trace him.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh