Stone trader Tullu Mondal's house sealed as Bengal police intensify probe into Birbhum cash haul

West Bengal police have sealed the residence of absconding stone trader Tullu Mondal in Suri town as part of an expanded investigation into a massive cash and gold seizure from his brother-in-law’s home in Birbhum district. The move comes after authorities recovered approximately ₹50 crore in illicit assets, including ₹28.5 crore in cash and 15 kilograms of gold, from the property of Minar Mondal, Tullu’s brother-in-law, during raids earlier this week. The police conducted extensive searches at Tullu Mondal’s home in Subhaspally, Suri, and another location over the course of Thursday. Officers reportedly left the premises around midnight after instructing domestic staff to vacate. Tullu Mondal himself and none of his immediate family members were present during the searches. Authorities also examined a parking facility in Mohammad Bazar, believed to be connected to the stone trader, as part of efforts to trace and record his assets. During the raids, officials recovered several lakhs in cash, roughly 250 grams of gold, 900 grams of silver, and incriminating documents from Tullu Mondal’s residence. Tullu Mondal, whose real name is Mohammad Nazibuddin, is described as a close associate of former Birbhum strongman Anubrata Mondal, who was recently convicted in a high-profile case involving political corruption and criminal activities. Police allege that the seized assets were accumulated through evasion of government revenue collection and other unlawful means. The investigation will also look into accusations of illegal land acquisition, extortion, and irregularities in the stone and sand mining sectors, areas where Tullu Mondal is known to hold significant influence. On Wednesday, police raided Minar Mondal’s two-storey residence in Deucha village and arrested him alongside his son. From the property, officers retrieved 14 gold bars, each weighing one kilogram, and 10 gold biscuits of 100 grams each, valued at approximately ₹21.5 crore based on current market rates. The total amount of cash and precious metals recovered from Minar’s home exceeds ₹28.5 crore, marking one of the largest seizures of suspected illegally acquired wealth in the state in recent years. Tullu Mondal has long been associated with the stone quarrying industry in Birbhum, where he is regarded as a key figure in the so-called “sand mafia.” Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has previously referred to him as such, highlighting his alleged role in controlling and exploiting local resources through dubious practices. His absence from the scene has raised questions about his whereabouts, though police continue to pursue leads related to his financial dealings and potential links to organized crime networks in the region. Authorities have indicated that the investigation into Tullu Mondal’s activities is ongoing and could lead to further arrests and asset recoveries. The raids and subsequent actions reflect a broader crackdown on illicit economic activities in the area, particularly those tied to resource extraction and land-related crimes. With Tullu Mondal still at large, police are likely to intensify their efforts to locate him and bring him to justice. The seizure of such a large sum of money and valuable items underscores the scale of alleged criminal activity attributed to Tullu Mondal and his associates. As the probe continues, law enforcement agencies are expected to scrutinize additional properties and financial records linked to the accused, potentially uncovering more evidence of wrongdoing. The case has drawn attention due to its implications for governance and law enforcement effectiveness in regions where such operations are prevalent. The police have not yet disclosed whether Tullu Mondal is being sought under specific charges or if formal complaints have been filed against him. However, given the nature of the assets found and the allegations surrounding his business dealings, it is anticipated that legal proceedings will follow once he is located. Until then, the focus remains on tracing his movements and identifying any remaining assets connected to his network.