New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) The Government Railway Police (GRP), Secunderabad, in coordination with the Railway Protection Force (RPF), seized Rs 1,22,70,000 in suspected hawala money from a passenger travelling from Mumbai (Maharashtra) to Secunderabad (Telangana) on the Devagiri Express, officials said on Thursday.

The accused has been identified as Vijay Ambadas Gupta, 40, son of Ambadas Gupta and a resident of Brundavan Colony, Sai Nagar, in Maharashtra’s Amaravati district.

According to officials, the operation was carried out on May 26 during a joint inspection conducted by GRP and RPF personnel aboard Train No. 17057, the Devagiri Express. The accused was intercepted at around 3 p.m. between Bollaram and Malkajgiri railway stations after officials noticed him carrying a luggage bag under suspicious circumstances.

During questioning, Vijay Ambadas Gupta allegedly revealed that he had received the cash amounting to Rs 1,22,70,000 from a person identified as “Santosh Seth”, who reportedly operates “Kantha Jewellery” in Mumbai. He further stated that he had been instructed to transport the money to Secunderabad (Telangana) and hand it over to another individual named “Banti”, who allegedly runs a jewellery shop in Monda Market, Secunderabad.

Officials said the accused was allegedly promised Rs 5,000 for transporting the cash. Preliminary investigation revealed that the money was suspected to be linked to hawala transactions associated with the jewellery business.

However, the accused failed to produce any valid documents or provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the source, ownership, possession, or intended use of the seized cash.

Following this, officials recorded his confession statement in the presence of two mediators. His mobile phone, identity documents, and train ticket were also seized for further investigation.

The operation was led by B. Saieashwar Goud, IRP/SHO, along with T. Madhav, SIRP, and their staff, in coordination with D.V. Narasimha Rao, RPF Inspector (Crime Cell), Sanjeev Rao, RPF Inspector, Malkajgiri, and the Divisional CPDS team of Hyderabad.

The operation was conducted under the supervision of Sandeep, in-charge Superintendent of Railway Police; Debashmita C. Banerjee, Senior DSC/RPF Hyderabad; S.N. Jawed, DSRP SC(U); and Ravi Sharma, Assistant Security Commissioner, RPF Hyderabad.

IGP Railway and Road Safety K. Ramesh Naidu appreciated the efforts of the GRP Secunderabad and RPF teams and announced that the personnel involved would be suitably rewarded.

–IANS

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