In what could emerge as one of the biggest-ever seizures in recent times, a joint operation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Income-Tax department (I-T) in Mumbai late on Monday night resulted in seizure of cash, bullion and diamonds worth nearly Rs.200 crore.
The final figure couldn’t be confirmed as the officers were still counting currency notes, but it’s believed that the figure could go up. The I-T department has also requested for four money counting machines from the Reserve Bank of India.
So far, 47 persons, including delivery boys are being questioned by the officers on details such as names of senders and recipients, said people familiar with the matter in NIA.
The raids started late on Monday evening at the Mumbai Central station and zeroed-in on four trucks, which possibly arrived from the Bhuleshwar-Opera House area. They seized 102 bags from these tempos and asked the persons on board to accompany them to Scindia House in Ballard Estate, the headquarters of investigation wing of the tax department.
I-T officials explained that these bags were to be taken by the delivery boys, who were supposed to board the Gujarat Mail that leaves Mumbai Central at 10 pm and reaches Ahmedabad at 6.25 in the morning.
“The NIA had information about fake currency and we are verifying this,” said Swatantra Kumar, income tax director general (investigation wing). He added that precious gems were generally sent to Gujarat through angadias for polishing. “If the valuables are mentioned in jewellers’ records,we will return them,”he said.
The seized money may not be returned as unregistered transfer of huge cash is illegal. Over 70 officers were part of Monday night’s operation, which was planned over four days.
The final figure couldn’t be confirmed as the officers were still counting currency notes, but it’s believed that the figure could go up. The I-T department has also requested for four money counting machines from the Reserve Bank of India.
So far, 47 persons, including delivery boys are being questioned by the officers on details such as names of senders and recipients, said people familiar with the matter in NIA.
The raids started late on Monday evening at the Mumbai Central station and zeroed-in on four trucks, which possibly arrived from the Bhuleshwar-Opera House area. They seized 102 bags from these tempos and asked the persons on board to accompany them to Scindia House in Ballard Estate, the headquarters of investigation wing of the tax department.
I-T officials explained that these bags were to be taken by the delivery boys, who were supposed to board the Gujarat Mail that leaves Mumbai Central at 10 pm and reaches Ahmedabad at 6.25 in the morning.
“The NIA had information about fake currency and we are verifying this,” said Swatantra Kumar, income tax director general (investigation wing). He added that precious gems were generally sent to Gujarat through angadias for polishing. “If the valuables are mentioned in jewellers’ records,we will return them,”he said.
The seized money may not be returned as unregistered transfer of huge cash is illegal. Over 70 officers were part of Monday night’s operation, which was planned over four days.
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