Massive Cash Haul Discovered During Routine Train Inspection
In a significant early morning operation, Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel made a substantial cash seizure of Rs 70 lakh from the New Delhi-Howrah Duronto Express (12274) at Jhajha station. The incident occurred under the Danapur division of the East Central Railway (ECR) in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The GRP has detained a 36-year-old individual identified as Shyam Sundar Das, who is suspected to be the carrier of the substantial amount of money. Jhajha GRP inspector Birin Kumar confirmed the detention and stated that Das is currently undergoing intensive interrogation regarding the source and destination of the funds.
Suspicious Behavior Leads to Major Discovery
According to official accounts, the seizure resulted from a routine inspection conducted by the GRP escort party traveling onboard the prestigious Duronto Express. The security team grew suspicious when they noticed Das traveling without a valid ticket in the reserved S3 coach, where he had positioned himself near the toilet area.
Although Das had reportedly paid a penalty to remain in the reserved compartment, his unusual behavior and seating choice raised red flags among the experienced GRP personnel. Inspector Kumar noted that the passenger's conduct prompted additional questioning, which eventually led to the major discovery.
Alerted by the escort team's observations, the Jhajha GRP unit prepared to intercept the suspicious passenger upon the train's arrival at their station. When the Duronto Express reached Jhajha station around 4 am, the GRP personnel conducted a thorough search of Das's luggage.
Detailed Examination Reveals Cash Bundles
GRP inspector Rahul Kumar provided specific details about the seizure, explaining that the search revealed 28 bundles of Rs 500 denomination notes, totaling the impressive amount of Rs 70 lakh. The discovery immediately triggered protocols for handling large unexplained cash movements.
Following the initial finding, a specialized team of customs officials from Bhagalpur rushed to Jhajha station to initiate further action. The involvement of customs authorities indicates the seriousness with which authorities are treating this substantial unexplained cash movement.
During preliminary questioning, Das repeatedly changed his statements, creating additional suspicion about the money's origins and intended purpose. However, after sustained interrogation, the suspect eventually admitted that he had received instructions to transport the cash-filled bag to Howrah.
Both customs and GRP officials are now jointly investigating multiple aspects of the case, including the money's original source, its intended destination and purpose, and potential connections to larger illegal networks. The investigation continues as authorities work to unravel the complete story behind this significant railway cash seizure.
