Buried Treasure? Prayagraj Police Unearth Rs 4 Crore in Steel Drums
Police in Prayagraj recovered Rs 3-4 crore in cash buried 5 metres underground in Nawabganj village. One person is detained.
In a scene straight out of a thriller, the Prayagraj Police have recovered a massive hoard of unaccounted cash estimated between Rs 3 crore and Rs 4 crore. The money was found buried nearly five metres underground inside a house in the Nawabganj area of Uttar Pradesh.
The Great Excavation
The discovery was made in Baraipur village after police acted on a specific tip-off. Officers arrived at the residence and began excavating the floor of one of the rooms. After digging deep into the earth—approximately five metres—personnel struck gold, or rather, steel. They recovered three small steel drums packed with bundles of Rs 500 notes.
To ensure the currency remained intact and protected from moisture or soil damage, the drums had been carefully wrapped in black polythene before being buried.
From Pune to Prosperity
The property belongs to a family from the Yadav community. According to investigators, two brothers, Rakesh Yadav and Rajesh Yadav, had previously worked in Pune and returned to their native village in 2020. Their return was marked by a sudden and suspicious surge in wealth.
Local residents told the police that shortly after arriving from Pune, the brothers began purchasing land and new tractors, which raised eyebrows among the villagers.
How the Secret Leaked
The hidden fortune remained a secret until a local dispute broke out in the village just a day before the police raid. In the heat of the conflict, information leaked suggesting that the family possessed a vast amount of unaccounted money and were withdrawing small portions of it to fund their daily expenses.
Investigation and Legal Action
Following the recovery, the police have taken the following steps:
- Detentions: One individual has been detained for questioning. Police officials noted that the person has been providing evasive responses during interrogation.
- Sealing the Site: The house has been officially sealed, and security personnel have been deployed around the premises to prevent any interference.
- Agency Coordination: The Income Tax Department has been alerted to investigate the source of the funds and the tax implications of the hoard.
The probe is now focusing on the brothers' professional history. Investigators are working to verify the details of the company in Pune where Rakesh and Rajesh Yadav claimed to be employed to determine if the money was earned through legal means or other illicit activities.