Rs 3.2 crore found in blue drums buried in UP village; police probe brothers' Mumbai, Pune links

Investigators have stepped up efforts to trace the source of Rs 3.2 crore recovered from three blue drums buried in a field in Baraipur Rampur village of Nawabganj, TOI reported. The Income Tax Department and police are conducting separate probes, focusing on the financial dealings and investments of two brothers who previously worked in Maharashtra. Officials are examining their property purchases in Uttar Pradesh and possible financial connections in Pune and Mumbai, while excavation at the field resumed on Sunday amid suspicion that more cash could be buried there.

The counting of the recovered currency has been completed, but questioning of the brothers has not yet provided investigators with significant clues about where the money came from. Joint teams are now examining their assets, including land, vehicles, jewellery, funds and shares.

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Police investigate brothers' property purchases after return from Maharashtra

Police are gathering information about land allegedly purchased by Rajesh Yadav and his brother Rakesh Yadav, alias Mahakal, in Prayagraj, Pratapgarh and other districts after they returned to their native village in 2019.

Villagers told investigators that the brothers had worked in Pune and Mumbai before returning home, after which they allegedly acquired plots, vehicles and jewellery.

DCP (Ganga Nagar) Sonam Kumar told TOI that police were questioning the two brothers and the landowners to obtain more details about the recovery. Joint teams are also examining their other investments and financial dealings, including property transactions, funds, shares and connections in Maharashtra.

Brothers change statements as investigators seek source of Rs 3.2 crore

The questioning has so far failed to establish the origin of the cash. Investigators said the brothers had repeatedly changed their statements, allegedly attempting to mislead the joint teams. Their changing accounts have made it difficult to determine how the money was accumulated and why it was buried.

The three blue drums were discovered on Wednesday night in a field owned by Rakesh and Rajesh. After the cash was found, the brothers' house was sealed and both were questioned about the money.

The two initially acknowledged ownership of the cash but later withdrew their claim, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the recovery.

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Excavation resumes as police suspect more cash may be buried

Even after the counting of the Rs 3.2 crore was completed, investigators resumed excavation at the field on Sunday. Officials suspect that additional currency could be hidden at the site and are continuing searches as part of the investigation.

The Income Tax Department and police are conducting separate inquiries to establish the source of the recovered money and examine the brothers' financial transactions and assets.