Patna: Railway police in eastern India have recovered Rs 50 lakh in cash from two men from Bihar during a routine inspection at Durgapur railway station in West Bengal, an incident that has triggered an investigation into possible links to election-related fund movement.
The seizure was made on Friday evening by the Government Railway Police (GRP) from the Andal unit during heightened security checks across stations in the state ahead of the West Bengal assembly elections. Officials said surveillance had been intensified in recent weeks, with passengers and luggage subjected to routine and targeted inspections.
According to police, the two men were stopped on Platforms 4 and 5 during checking. Officers grew suspicious of their behaviour and conducted a search of their baggage, which led to the recovery of large bundles of cash. One bag contained approximately Rs 20 lakh, while another carried nearly Rs 30 lakh.
The individuals have been identified as Guddu Rai, a resident of Patna, and Tapan Kumar Mitra from Barh in Bihar. Both were taken into custody at the station and later detained for questioning. The sudden recovery of such a large amount of unaccounted cash at a transport hub prompted immediate alerts to senior officials.
Investigators said the duo initially offered inconsistent explanations regarding the source and purpose of the money. During preliminary questioning, they claimed the cash was being transported to Kolkata, where it was allegedly meant to be handed over to an individual they referred to as “Shakti Dada”. They also stated they were en route to Howrah, though details of their planned route and arrangement remained unclear.
Police officials said these statements are being verified as part of a wider inquiry into whether the money is linked to any organised financial network. “We are examining all possible angles, including the origin of the cash and its intended use,” a senior officer involved in the investigation said.
The GRP has begun analysing mobile phones seized from the accused, along with their call records and messaging data. Investigators hope the digital evidence will help establish communication patterns and identify others who may be connected to the movement of funds.
Authorities have also initiated efforts to trace the individual named by the accused. However, officials said no confirmed details have yet emerged regarding his identity or role.
Given the timing of the seizure ahead of the state elections, the case is being examined for potential links to electoral financing or illegal cash transfers. Election-related enforcement agencies have been informed, and the matter is expected to be reviewed under relevant provisions governing expenditure monitoring.
Both men were produced before a local court, where police sought custodial remand for further interrogation. The GRP is working in coordination with local police to map the full chain of custody of the seized money and determine whether additional individuals or locations are involved.
Officials said the investigation is at an early stage and cautioned against drawing conclusions until financial trails and digital evidence are fully analysed. Further developments are expected as questioning continues and forensic examination of the materials progresses.
