Termite-damaged cash worth over Rs 1 lakh found in Kolkata college union room; probe under way

Kolkata: Currency notes estimated to be worth more than Rs 1 lakh, many of them extensively damaged by termites, were recovered from a college union room in central Kolkata, triggering a police investigation into the origin and ownership of the money.

The discovery was made during a pre-monsoon cleaning exercise at Surendranath College after civic authorities advised educational institutions to undertake maintenance and sanitation measures ahead of the rainy season.

According to police, workers engaged in the clean-up found two old suitcases stored inside an almirah in the college union room. Upon opening them in the presence of college officials, bundles of deteriorated currency notes were found packed inside.

Officials from Muchipara Police Station subsequently reached the campus and took possession of the suitcases. Certain documents recovered from the location have also been seized for examination.

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Preliminary assessment suggests that the cash largely comprised Rs 100 and Rs 500 denomination notes. However, investigators said the exact value of the recovery is still being determined as many of the notes are badly damaged and require verification.

Police are examining how long the suitcases remained in the room, who had access to the premises and under what circumstances the money was stored there. An inventory of the recovered notes is being prepared as part of the investigation.
The suitcases were opened in the presence of representatives from both the day and evening sections of the college, officials said.

Authorities have not yet established the source of the funds or identified the individual or individuals linked to the cash.
The incident has also sparked a political controversy. BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh called for a comprehensive inquiry, questioning how a substantial amount of money could remain inside a college union room without attracting attention. He sought accountability from those responsible for overseeing the premises.

Surendranath College had not issued an official statement on the matter at the time of publication.

Kolkata: Currency notes estimated to be worth more than Rs 1 lakh, many of them extensively damaged by termites, were recovered from a college union room in central Kolkata, triggering a police investigation into the origin and ownership of the money.

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The discovery was made during a pre-monsoon cleaning exercise at Surendranath College after civic authorities advised educational institutions to undertake maintenance and sanitation measures ahead of the rainy season.

According to police, workers engaged in the clean-up found two old suitcases stored inside an almirah in the college union room. Upon opening them in the presence of college officials, bundles of deteriorated currency notes were found packed inside.

Officials from Muchipara Police Station subsequently reached the campus and took possession of the suitcases. Certain documents recovered from the location have also been seized for examination.

Preliminary assessment suggests that the cash largely comprised Rs 100 and Rs 500 denomination notes. However, investigators said the exact value of the recovery is still being determined as many of the notes are badly damaged and require verification.

Police are examining how long the suitcases remained in the room, who had access to the premises and under what circumstances the money was stored there. An inventory of the recovered notes is being prepared as part of the investigation.

The suitcases were opened in the presence of representatives from both the day and evening sections of the college, officials said.

Authorities have not yet established the source of the funds or identified the individual or individuals linked to the cash.

The incident has also sparked a political controversy. BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh called for a comprehensive inquiry, questioning how a substantial amount of money could remain inside a college union room without attracting attention. He sought accountability from those responsible for overseeing the premises.

Surendranath College had not issued an official statement on the matter at the time of publication.