The recovery of a massive cache of cash and gold worth more than Rs 50 crore from the residence of a relative of stone mafia Tulu Mondal in Birbhum has triggered a major political controversy in West Bengal, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari alleging high-level patronage behind the alleged corruption.
Adhikari on Friday directly targeted former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, asserting that such large-scale irregularities could not have continued for years without political backing.
“This kind of wealth cannot be accumulated overnight. There is a long-standing organised syndicate behind it,” the Chief Minister said, adding that responsibility must extend to the leadership of the previous administration. “This could not have happened without government support—specifically without the backing of the then Chief Minister,” he stated.
According to Adhikari, preliminary investigations suggest that the alleged network amassed assets over several years, including 243 vehicles, around 300 bighas of land, and at least seven large houses or farmhouses. He claimed the operation involved multiple layers of the administration, ranging from local panchayats to the police, the Motor Vehicles Department, the Land Department, and sections of the state’s mineral-related agencies.
“Such things do not happen without directives from the highest level, Adhikari alleged, while warning that officials found complicit would face strict action.
The Chief Minister also praised the role of the state police in the operation, noting that unlike previous cases often led by central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) or the CBI, this action was carried out by the West Bengal Police. Investigators have reportedly traced assets worth approximately Rs 150 crore so far.
Highlighting governance under the current administration, Adhikari claimed that state revenue collection has already increased by 12 per cent within just 10–11 weeks, compared to the same period last year. He expressed confidence that the figure could rise to 20 per cent by the end of the financial year.
He further remarked that funds allegedly siphoned off through such networks could have been used for public welfare. “This organised crime, these syndicates, and the diversion of revenue—money that could have built hospitals, schools, and created jobs for thousands—could not have continued for so long without approval from the top,” he said.
The developments have intensified the political confrontation in the state, with further investigations underway to determine the full extent of the alleged racket and the individuals involved.
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