In a significant operation, the Aravalli district police in Gujarat intercepted a massive sum of unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 1.05 crore from a vehicle during a routine check. The incident occurred at the Shamlaji–Ratanpur checkpost and has triggered a major investigation into potential illegal fund movements and hawala transactions.
Routine Check Turns Into Major Bust
Officials from the Shamlaji police station were engaged in their regular patrols and checks, primarily aimed at curbing the smuggling of liquor. Their attention was drawn to a car that was approaching from the direction of Rajasthan at a notably high speed. The suspicious behavior prompted the police team to flag down and inspect the vehicle.
Upon a thorough search, the police made a startling discovery. Multiple cloth bags were found strategically placed under the front bonnet of the car. When these bags were opened, they were found to be stuffed with bundles of Rs 500 denomination notes. The total value of the seized cash was a staggering Rs 1.05 crore.
Driver Fails to Provide Credible Explanation
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Vinod Patel, a construction businessman hailing from Dhuvaliya in Dungarpur, Rajasthan. When questioned by the police, Patel could not furnish a satisfactory or legitimate explanation regarding the origin of the huge cash haul or its intended destination.
His inability to account for the money led the police to initiate immediate legal proceedings. A formal complaint has been registered in connection with the case. Shamlaji police inspector SS Mal confirmed the developments and stated that the matter is being treated with utmost seriousness due to the large sum involved and the circumstances of the seizure.
Income Tax Department Brought Into The Loop
Given the scale of the financial irregularity and the strong indications of possible hawala activity, the local police have escalated the matter to the central authorities. Inspector Mal confirmed that the Income Tax Department has been formally notified about the seizure for a deeper and specialized investigation.
The involvement of the Income Tax Department is standard procedure in such cases, as they are equipped to trace the source of the funds, determine potential tax evasion, and uncover larger networks involved in illegal financial transactions. This inter-agency coordination is crucial for getting to the bottom of what appears to be a sophisticated attempt to move unaccounted money across state borders.
The seizure at the Shamlaji checkpost underscores the ongoing vigilance of Gujarat police against economic offenses and highlights the continuing challenge of curbing illegal cash movements in the region.
