Bhopal/Damoh, May 24 (IANS) A major controversy erupted in the Futera Ward area of Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district after a large number of British-era silver coins were discovered during excavation work for the foundation of a house.

The incident sparked allegations of concealment, drawing significant attention from local residents and police authorities. The discovery was made at the ancestral home of Alok Soni, a government school teacher, in the Futera locality under Kotwali Police Station limits.

While digging for foundation pillars, labourers unearthed an earthen pot (handa) filled with old silver coins.

The Department of Archaeology has confirmed that the coins belong to the British colonial period between 1815 and 1915. According to officials, the administration seized 42 silver coins from the site. However, the situation turned tense after one of the labourers levelled serious allegations regarding the recovery.

One of the labourers claimed that a substantial quantity of coins, weighing around 30 to 35 kilograms, was recovered during the excavation.

The labourer, identified as Patel, alleged that after the discovery, each labourer was paid Rs 500 and asked to leave the site, and that a large portion of the coins was not handed over to the authorities.

Alok Soni strongly denied the allegations, asserting that every coin recovered from the site was immediately surrendered to the administration.

He also countered the allegations by claiming that some labourers themselves may have hidden a portion of the recovered coins.

After receiving information about the incident, a police team led by Kotwali Station In-charge Manish Kumar reached the spot along with the Tehsildar and other revenue officials.

Construction work at the site was immediately halted, and the entire area was placed under administrative supervision.

Police have registered a case and launched a detailed investigation to ascertain the exact quantity of coins recovered and determine whether any of them were concealed.

The news of the “buried treasure” spread rapidly across the locality, leading to large crowds gathering around the site throughout the day.

Local residents engaged in animated discussions regarding the possible historical and monetary value of the discovery. Discoveries of British-era coins are not uncommon in Madhya Pradesh, a region known for historical relics from different periods, but this particular case has drawn attention because of the conflicting claims surrounding the recovery.

The Archaeology Department is expected to conduct a detailed examination of the seized coins. Authorities have appealed for calm and warned people against spreading rumours.

The outcome of the ongoing investigation will determine whether the case involves a simple accidental discovery or possible concealment of valuable antiquities. The incident has once again highlighted the importance of proper reporting of historical finds under Indian treasure trove laws.

–IANS

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