Buried Treasure? Police Unearth Crores in Steel Drums Under Prayagraj House
Police in Prayagraj unearthed steel drums containing Rs 3-5 crore buried 5 metres deep in a Nawabganj house. Read the full story here.
In a scene straight out of a thriller, the Prayagraj police have recovered a massive stash of unaccounted cash in Prayagraj, buried deep beneath the floor of a residential property in Baraipur village, located in the Nawabganj area. The operation, which unfolded over several hours, revealed a hidden fortune that has left the local community in shock.
A High-Stakes Excavation
The raid began around 6:00 PM on Wednesday, following a specific tip-off linked to a local dispute. To ensure the operation remained discreet and secure, authorities took the drastic step of cutting off electricity to the entire village for five hours.
Police officers spent hours digging into the floor of a room, eventually reaching a depth of nearly five metres. Their persistence paid off when they discovered three steel drums. Inside these drums, bundles of Rs 500 notes, meticulously wrapped in black polythene, were found packed tightly.
How Much Was Recovered?
While the exact total is still being verified, initial estimates suggest the seized amount is between Rs 3 crore and Rs 4 crore. However, some reports indicate that the actual sum could exceed Rs 5 crore. Due to the sheer volume of the cash, the Income Tax Department has been alerted to assist in the official counting and forensic investigation of the funds.
The Mystery of 'Mahakal'
The property where the cash was hidden belongs to Rakesh Yadav, popularly known as 'Mahakal.' According to records, Rakesh and his brother, Rajesh Yadav, had returned to their village in 2020 after spending time working in Pune.
Their return, however, did not go unnoticed. Local residents revealed that the brothers had become subjects of suspicion shortly after their arrival from Pune. The neighbors pointed to the sudden and lavish acquisition of new land and multiple tractors as signs that the duo had come into an unexplained amount of wealth.
The Official Crackdown
The operation was carried out by a specialized team led by Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Pushkar Verma. Prayagraj Ganganagar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sonam Kumar confirmed the details of the seizure and the subsequent actions taken by the force.
- Detentions: One individual has been detained by the police for intense interrogation to uncover the origin of the money.
- Security: The premises have been sealed, and security personnel are stationed at the site to prevent any tampering.
- Investigation: Investigators are currently tracing the financial trail to determine if the wealth is linked to illegal activities or tax evasion.
As the Income Tax Department steps in, the focus now shifts to whether this hidden hoard is just the tip of the iceberg or the entirety of the Yadav brothers' secret empire.