Cash Hoard Row Rocks Tripura Police: Five Detained Including TSR Jawan, Police Constables and Health Worker
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, May 17, 2026
A major controversy has erupted within the Tripura Police after a huge quantity of cash was allegedly recovered from the residence of a police constable in Dhalai district’s Salema area. The sensational development has triggered an intensive investigation led by senior police officials, with five persons detained so far, including police personnel, a TSR jawan and a health department employee.
The incident comes close on the heels of several high-profile cash recovery cases in Tripura in recent years. Only days ago, Special Branch Police at Agartala Railway Station intercepted around Rs 60 lakh in cash allegedly being transported in trolley bags by relatives of an IFS officer from Mumbai. Earlier too, political circles in both the Left Front and BJP eras witnessed allegations of illegal cash hoarding, though in most cases no visible punitive action followed after investigations.
Against this backdrop, the latest case has once again raised serious questions about the rise of illegal money networks and unaccounted cash transactions in the state.
The controversy began at Bhatkhaori village under Salema Police Station after a video surfaced on social media showing bundles of currency notes in denominations of Rs 500, Rs 2,000 and Rs 100 allegedly displayed by Nandarani Debbarma, wife of police constable Piyush Debbarma.
The viral video immediately caught the attention of the police headquarters. Director General of Police Anurag Dhankar reportedly ordered a high-level inquiry and directed DIG Northern Range Ratiranjan Debnath to conduct an investigation.
Following the directive, a police team led by DIG Ratiranjan Debnath, along with Dhalai district police officials including Superintendent of Police Rishikesh Desai, SDPO Nirupan Dutta and Salema Police Station OC Dipak Das, conducted a search operation at the residence of constable Piyush Debbarma.
During questioning, Nandarani Debbarma allegedly named her friend Sanjana Debbarma, an optometry worker in the Health Department. Police later detained Sanjana as well.
Subsequent interrogation reportedly revealed a wider network involving multiple individuals. Police sources suspect the group was linked to illegal money circulation and high-interest lending operations.
Among those detained are:
Police constable Piyush Debbarma
His wife Nandarani Debbarma,
Health department employee Sanjana Debbarma,
TSR Rifleman Ajit Debbarma,
East Agartala Women Police Station constable Menaka Debbarma.
Ajit Debbarma is currently posted with the 14th Battalion of TSR. Police sources said he had earlier served for nearly twelve years at the Police Headquarters before recently being shifted back to battalion duty.
Investigators are also examining the possible involvement of another TSR jawan identified as Bijoy Debbarma, along with Sanjana Debbarma’s husband, who is reportedly a young doctor.
Police are now trying to ascertain the source of the huge amount of cash and whether it is linked to fraud, illegal lending activities or other unlawful financial transactions.
Officials suspect that the accused were not operating alone and that a larger organised network may be involved.
Interestingly, Nandarani Debbarma herself filed a complaint at Salema Police Station alleging harassment over the circulation of the viral cash video on social media.
Meanwhile, police have registered a case and intensive interrogation is continuing at Ambassa and NCC police stations. Senior police officials have indicated that the investigation is focusing on tracing the source of the money and identifying all individuals linked to the alleged network.
Although the Police Headquarters had not issued an official detailed statement till late Saturday night, sources said the DGP has instructed officers to proceed without any leniency and ensure strict legal action if wrongdoing is established.
The case has now become one of the most talked-about law enforcement controversies in Tripura in recent times, with growing public debate over illegal wealth accumulation and alleged underground money operations involving influential individuals.
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