Agartala, May 19 (IANS) Two more accused were arrested and three security personnel suspended in connection with a viral video showing a woman displaying a huge amount of cash at her residence in Tripura’s Dhalai district, officials said on Tuesday.
A police official said that, with the fresh arrest of two women, the total number of arrests in the case has risen to four after the viral video surfaced showing a woman displaying a large amount of money at her residence in the Bhatkhowri area under Salema police station in Dhalai district.
The four arrested persons include police personnel, a health department employee, and the wife of a police constable.
Police produced the accused before a local court, which remanded them to police custody for detailed interrogation.
The official said that a Tripura State Rifles jawan and two police personnel, including a woman constable, were suspended by the authorities in connection with the case.
“As per the preliminary investigation, it was found that the accused are part of a large, organised and influential illegal money investment racket that collected crores of rupees from businessmen and people, especially police personnel, by promising high interest returns and profits.
“When investors demanded the return of their money, the accused allegedly resorted to intimidation, threats, and even death threats through their clandestine network,” an official police report said.
The report stated that the syndicate is allegedly involved in serious financial crimes and used the influence of some members, including police personnel, to operate the racket and potentially invest the defrauded money in illegal activities.
A police constable, Rupak Saha (30), also lodged a complaint against the accused persons over their alleged clandestine and illegal financial dealings.
Police, however, are yet to recover any cash from the residence of the concerned woman, who is the wife of a police constable.
Investigators suspect that a larger organised network may be operating behind the scenes.
Police also suspect the involvement of an inter-state racket linked to illegal financial transactions and drug trafficking activities.
A major sensation gripped the state after the video surfaced on social media last week, showing bundles of Rs 100, Rs 500, and Rs 2,000 currency notes, suspected to be worth several crores of rupees, at the residence of a police constable in Dhalai district.
Chief Minister Manik Saha said that after watching the viral video on social media, he directed the concerned officials to take appropriate action against the accused persons.
“We never hide or protect anyone accused of a crime. Law will take its own course,” the Chief Minister told the media.
Director General of Police Anurag had reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction over the incident and directed senior officials to immediately rush to the area and take stringent action against all those involved.
Acting on the instructions of the police chief, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Manchak Ipper, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Northern Range) Rati Ranjan Debnath, Dhalai district Superintendent of Police Rushikesh Jaysing Desai, and several other senior officials launched an intensive investigation into the matter.
Police officials said that around 15 people have been detained or questioned so far in connection with the case.
Top sources said that nearly Rs 5 crore in cash has come under the scanner during the course of the investigation.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly made several allegations and counter-allegations against one another, further complicating the probe.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Manchak Ipper said that two cases had been registered and an in-depth investigation is currently underway.
Police are now trying to ascertain the source of the money and whether it was generated through fraudulent activities or linked to narcotics trafficking.
Officials suspect that the funds may have originated from illegal drug operations involving contraband smuggled into Tripura from outside the state.
