KOTA: In a late-night operation, police in Rajasthan's Kota district seized Rs 2.24 crore in suspected hawala cash from a luxury car allegedly traveling from Uttar Pradesh to Gujarat, officials confirmed on Wednesday. Two individuals were detained during the operation.
Details of the Seizure
According to Superintendent of Police (Kota Rural) Sujit Shankar, the vehicle, bearing a Gujarat registration number, was intercepted at a police barricade on Modak Road in the Chechat area on Tuesday night. The driver initially attempted to flee when signaled to stop, but personnel managed to intercept the vehicle and detain the two occupants.
During questioning, the occupants failed to provide satisfactory answers regarding the cash. A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of Rs 2.24 crore concealed inside two specially-made secret compartments beneath the driver and co-passenger seats, the SP said.
Legal Action and Investigation
The cash was seized under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which empowers police to confiscate property suspected to be linked to an offence or criminal activity. The detained individuals were identified as Mukesh and Suthar Bhavik, both residents of Gujarat.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the duo allegedly worked for a Gujarat-based hawala network. They had collected the money from company operatives in Lucknow, Varanasi, and Prayagraj before heading towards Ahmedabad for delivery, police said.
Officials added that the Income Tax Department has been informed about the seizure. Further investigation is underway to determine the source of the cash and its intended use.
Operation Team
The operation was conducted under the supervision of ASP Ramkalyan Meena and DSP Ghanshyam Meena by a special police team comprising probationary RPS officer Ankit Kudi and Chechat SHO Uttam Singh.
