In a major seizure during a pre-dawn operation, the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) recovered ₹1.75 crore in cash from two youths aboard the Akal Takht Express at Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction. The money was allegedly being transported from Lucknow to Kolkata. Authorities suspect a possible hawala link. The seized currency and the detained individuals have been handed over to the Income Tax Department in Varanasi for further investigation.
Pre-Dawn Raid on Akal Takht Express Uncovers Massive Cash Haul
According to Circle Officer (GRP) Kunwar Prabhat Singh, the operation unfolded around 3 am on Saturday when the down Akal Takht Express arrived at Platform No. 1. During routine checking, security personnel noticed two young men in coach A-1 carrying unusually heavy bags. Their nervous demeanor reportedly aroused suspicion, prompting officials to conduct a detailed inspection.
Upon opening the bags, officers discovered bundles of ₹500 currency notes packed tightly inside. The suspects were immediately taken to the GRP police station at the junction, where counting confirmed the total amount at ₹1.75 crore. Officials said the cash was not accompanied by valid documentation explaining its source or purpose.
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Suspects Identified: Lucknow and Gujarat Residents in Diamond Trade
The two detained men have been identified as Ritesh Patel, a resident of Napier Road Colony in Thakurganj area of Lucknow, and Prignesh, a resident of Swami Narayan Faliyu, Metpur Khambhat, in Anand district of Gujarat. Preliminary inquiry suggests that the two are cousins and are engaged in the diamond trade. They allegedly told investigators that the money was meant to be delivered to a businessman based in Kolkata.
However, the absence of proper records and the manner in which the cash was being transported have raised serious doubts. Police officials indicated that the transaction could be linked to hawala operations — an informal and often illegal system of transferring money without actual movement through banking channels. The Income Tax Department will now scrutinize financial records, phone data, and possible trade connections to determine the legality of the funds.
Hawala Network Suspicions on Lucknow-Kolkata Route
Sources said transporting such a large amount of unaccounted cash through a passenger train is highly unusual and typically associated with tax evasion or underground financial networks. The route from Lucknow to Kolkata is known to be commercially significant, particularly in sectors such as gems and jewelry, textiles, and wholesale trade, which may now come under the scanner as part of the probe.
Security agencies have intensified vigilance at major railway junctions in the region following the seizure. Officials emphasized that routine inspections are being carried out to curb illegal movement of cash, narcotics, and other contraband through rail routes.
The dramatic recovery created a stir at the station in the early hours, with passengers witnessing the two men being escorted away by officials. Authorities clarified that the investigation is at a preliminary stage and no formal charges have yet been framed. Further action will depend on findings by the Income Tax Department and other concerned agencies.
For now, the ₹1.75 crore remains in official custody, as investigators work to unravel whether the cash represented legitimate business funds or part of a larger hawala network operating across states.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
