Rs.60 Lakh Seizure Triggers Major Corruption Probe in Tripura: Forest Department Under Scanner, DFO Arrests Likely
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, April 28, 2026
A dramatic seizure of unaccounted cash amounting to Rs.59.95 lakh at Agartala Railway Station has set off a major corruption investigation in Tripura, with the Forest Department coming under intense scrutiny and strong indications that further arrests may follow soon. The Government Railway Police (GRP) registered a case after detaining Rajendra Chintaman Kaklij, a resident of Nashik, Maharashtra, who was allegedly attempting to travel from Agartala to Mumbai carrying suspicious items.
According to the FIR, the operation was initiated based on a secret input received early in the 23rd April morning. Acting swiftly, GRP personnel reached the station around 6:30 AM and identified the suspect carrying a turquoise trolley bag. The situation took a dramatic turn when the accused, upon noticing the police presence, allegedly tried to flee using a government vehicle bearing registration TR-08-0814. The vehicle, reportedly linked to a Forest Department setup and accompanied by uniformed personnel, raised immediate suspicion. However, the police team managed to intercept the vehicle and detain the accused before he could escape.
During a detailed search conducted in the presence of senior officials and independent witnesses, police recovered a staggering Rs.59,95,500 in cash from the trolley bag. The seized amount included thousands of notes in different denominations, and the total was verified using a money-counting machine. Investigators also recovered bank-related documents, including slips from Axis Bank and HDFC Bank’s Shantir Bazar branch, indicating recent transactions involving large bundles of cash.
The case has taken a serious turn as preliminary interrogation and investigation suggest that the recovered money may not be an isolated possession but could be part of a larger chain of illegal transactions. The FIR indicates suspicion that the cash represents illegal gratification collected through corrupt means, potentially involving public servants and others linked to government schemes, particularly within the Forest Department.
The accused reportedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the source of the money, further deepening suspicion around a wider network.
The investigation has been entrusted to a senior police officer of Additional Superintendent of Police rank, and multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, have been invoked. Sources indicate that the probe is rapidly expanding beyond the detained individual, with investigators closely examining financial trails, official links, and possible misuse of government resources.
The involvement of a government vehicle and alleged links to individuals associated with the Forest Department have intensified the seriousness of the case, raising questions about possible institutional involvement. Investigating agencies are reportedly working to identify all persons connected to the movement and handling of the seized cash, and efforts are underway to establish the full extent of the network behind the operation.
As the investigation deepens, pressure is mounting for accountability, and officials have not ruled out further detentions and custodial interrogation of additional suspects. The case is now being closely watched as it has the potential to expose a large nexus involving corruption, illegal financial flows, and misuse of official positions in Tripura.
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