Patna: A suspected hawala money transfer network has come under investigation in Patna after police and Income Tax officials seized around Rs 30 lakh in cash during a joint operation in the Buddha Colony police station area.
The cash was recovered from an Innova Crysta after police pursued the vehicle following an accident. The subsequent search led to the recovery of the cash.
The operation also involved a raid at Flat No. 101 of Aranya Balbhadra Apartment, where the agencies began investigating possible links to the suspected network.
Three Gujarat Residents Detained
Three people have been detained in connection with the case. They have been identified as Sanjay Kumar, Digvijay Thakur and Patel Karan Kumar Sindhabhai. All three are reported to be residents of Gujarat.
The three are being questioned to establish the source and intended destination of the seized cash.
Cash Was Reportedly Headed To Kolkata
According to reports, the three men had travelled from Gujarat in the Innova Crysta carrying the cash. The money was allegedly meant to be delivered in Kolkata, with the three reaching Patna during the journey.
The vehicle’s accident in Patna brought it to the attention of police. Officers subsequently pursued the suspicious vehicle and recovered the cash during the search.
Investigators are now attempting to establish who owned the money, who was supposed to receive it and whether other people were involved in the transaction.
Alleged Rs 3,000 Crore Network Under Probe
Reports have claimed that the suspected hawala network handles transactions worth around Rs 3,000 crore. However, this figure and other claims concerning the network have not been officially confirmed.
Police and Income Tax officials are continuing their joint investigation to trace the source of the seized money and establish the extent of the alleged network.
The Income Tax Department is also reportedly conducting searches and investigations at various locations in Patna in connection with the case. Documents and other information related to the recovered cash are being examined.
The investigation is focused on tracing the source of the funds, identifying the intended recipients and establishing the wider delivery network. The three detained individuals remain under questioning as agencies work to establish the links in the case.
