CurrencyRaid – Dehradun Police Recover Hidden Cash During SUV Inspection Drive

CurrencyRaid – Dehradun Police uncovered a large amount of unaccounted cash hidden inside a specially designed compartment of an SUV during a late-night vehicle inspection campaign in Uttarakhand. The recovery, estimated at more than Rs 1.5 crore, has now triggered an investigation by the Income Tax Department.

Police officials said the seizure took place on May 15 in the Rajendra Nagar-Kaulagarh area while officers from Kotwali Cantt Police were conducting intensive checking under the district-wide “Operation Prahar” campaign. During the inspection drive on Sirmaur Road, a Maharashtra-registered Mahindra Scorpio-N attracted attention due to the behaviour of its occupants and was stopped for verification.

Suspicious Responses Led to Detailed Vehicle Search

According to police authorities, the driver was unable to provide clear answers when officers asked for vehicle-related documents and travel details. The inconsistent responses raised suspicion, prompting officers to conduct a more detailed examination of the SUV and question the occupants separately.

Circle Officer City Swapnil Muyal stated that the driver identified himself as Satish Bhai, a resident of Gujarat. Two additional passengers travelling in the vehicle introduced themselves as Thakur Jaswant Singh and Sachin Patel. During questioning, all three reportedly failed to explain their journey and purpose convincingly.

Officials later discovered that a specially built secret chamber had been created between the middle and rear seats of the vehicle. After further interrogation, the occupants allegedly admitted that a significant amount of cash had been concealed inside the hidden cabin.

More Than Rs 1.5 Crore Recovered From Secret Compartment

Following the disclosure, senior police officers were informed immediately and the Income Tax Department was contacted to join the operation. In the presence of tax officials and senior police personnel, a thorough search of the vehicle was carried out.

Authorities recovered approximately Rs 1.55 crore in cash from the concealed section of the SUV. The money was carefully packed and hidden inside the modified compartment, indicating that the vehicle had been specially prepared for transporting cash secretly.

Police sources said the operation was completed under tight security, and the recovered amount was documented in the presence of officials from multiple departments.

Occupants Unable to Produce Valid Documents

Investigators later questioned the driver regarding the ownership and source of the cash. During interrogation, Satish Bhai, who is reportedly from Gujarat’s Mehsana district, allegedly failed to produce any valid records or financial documents related to the money.

According to officials, the driver claimed the cash had been brought from Varanasi and was meant to be delivered to one of the passengers travelling in the vehicle. Authorities are now examining whether the money was linked to any undisclosed business transactions or possible violations of financial regulations.

Police identified the second occupant as Thakur Jaswant Sang Banaji, a resident of Patan district in Gujarat, while the third passenger, Sachin Patel, is said to be from Visnagar in Gujarat.

Income Tax Department Begins Detailed Investigation

Officials confirmed that the Income Tax Department has now taken over the financial investigation connected to the cash recovery. Statements of all three individuals are being recorded while authorities verify the origin, ownership and intended use of the seized money.

The vehicle involved in the case has been confiscated by the police for further examination. Investigators are also expected to inspect whether the SUV had undergone illegal modifications to create the concealed compartment.

Police described the seizure as one of the significant recoveries made during the ongoing “Operation Prahar” campaign being conducted across Dehradun district. Senior officials stated that intensified checking operations would continue in sensitive areas to monitor suspicious movement and strengthen law enforcement activities.