In West Bengal, police have recovered more than 28 crore rupees in cash and 15 kilograms of gold during a search operation at the residence of stone businessman Minar Mondal in Deucha, Mohammad Bazar, Birbhum.

Police used at least five cash-counting machines and five iron trunks during the 15-hour operation to recover 28.5 crore rupees in cash and 15 kilograms of gold from the house of Minar Mondal, a relative of Birbhum’s alleged stone-and-sand syndicate kingpin Tullu Mondal.

Birbhum SP Vidit Raj Bhundesh said the cash was found in 35 nylon bags at the house. Sources said bundles of cash were stacked along the walls. Police also recovered money not only from cupboards inside the house, but also from several concealed chambers and secret hiding places.

Minar Mondal, who was once a government bus driver, later entered the stone business. He is also said to be closely associated with several stone quarries linked to Tullu Mondal.

Our Birbhum correspondent, quoting police sources, said the police had received information that a substantial amount of cash was being stored by Minar Mondal, following which the search operation was launched.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, in a social media post, said the state government’s drive against corruption would continue. He asserted that no one who has amassed enormous wealth by looting public money or government property would be spared.