Major Arrest in West Bengal: Police Seize Cash and Gold from Stone Trader's Associate

In a significant operation, West Bengal police arrested Meenar Mandal, the manager of fugitive stone trader Tullu Mandal, recovering ₹28.5 crore in cash and 15 kg of gold. This operation marks one of the largest seizures of illicit assets in the state. Meenar's wife claims ignorance about the recovered items, asserting that their family had no knowledge of the boxes containing the valuables. The investigation continues as police maintain a presence at the site, with Tullu Mandal still at large.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 30, 2026, 15:46 IST

Significant Police Operation in Birbhum District

On July 30, in Birbhum district of West Bengal, law enforcement apprehended the manager and a close relative of the fugitive stone trader Tullu Mandal on Thursday. A senior police official confirmed the arrest, stating that during an overnight search operation in the area, authorities recovered ₹28.5 crore in cash and 15 kilograms of gold from Mandal's residence.

This seizure is reportedly one of the largest in the state related to illicitly acquired assets in recent years. V.R. Bhundesh, the Superintendent of Police in Birbhum, informed reporters, "We have confiscated ₹28.5 crore in cash and 15 kilograms of gold. The manager and relative, Meenar Mandal, have been taken into custody, and his house has been sealed."

Additionally, police arrived at Tullu Mandal's residence with central forces, anticipating further search operations.

Central forces were deployed outside the premises, while a team of police officers was seen entering the house. Tullu has been on the run since the results of the assembly elections were announced in May. By Wednesday evening, ₹20 crore had already been recovered from Meenar Mandal's home.

Details of the Seizure

According to police reports, from Meenar's two-story house located in Deucha village, 14 gold bars weighing one kilogram each and ten gold biscuits weighing 100 grams each were discovered. The current market value of this gold is estimated to be around ₹21.5 crore. During the raid on Wednesday, Meenar was taken into custody along with his son.

On Thursday morning, Meenar was formally arrested and is set to be presented in a local court. Authorities indicated that Tullu Mandal, also known as Mohammad Najibuddin, holds significant influence in the stone mining and concrete production business in Birbhum. The Chief Minister has labeled him a sand mafia.

Family's Response to the Arrest

Meanwhile, Meenar Mandal's wife spoke to reporters, asserting that neither she nor her husband had any knowledge of the boxes from which the cash and gold were recovered. She claimed that Tullu Mandal had stored these boxes in their home years ago, stating they contained important documents. The woman alleged that the keys to the boxes were with Tullu, and their family had never opened them.

She stated, "We only learned about the cash and gold when the police opened the boxes on Wednesday. My husband was unaware of anything, yet he was arrested." The woman firmly denied any ownership of the recovered money, insisting that they possess nothing.

She further mentioned that their livelihood relies solely on a modest government pension received after Meenar left his job with the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC). Following the sealing of their house, she plans to stay with a relative.