Agartala, May 18 (IANS) Tripura Police have arrested a security personnel and a Health Department employee and are interrogating more than 15 others after a viral video showed a woman displaying a huge amount of cash at her residence in the state’s Dhalai district, officials said on Monday.
A senior police official said that police arrested Ajit Debbarma (48) and his wife, Menaka Debbarma (45), both residents of Abhoynagar on the outskirts of Agartala.
Ajit Debbarma is a Rifleman of the Tripura State Rifles, while Menaka Debbarma is an employee of the Health Department.
“We have also detained five people and are interrogating around 10 others to gather details related to the viral video case,” the official said, adding that in-depth and intensive search operations and investigations are underway in different parts of Dhalai and West Tripura districts.
Chief Minister Manik Saha said that after watching the viral video on social media, he directed the concerned officials to take appropriate action against the accused persons.
“We never hide or protect anyone accused of a crime. Law will take its own course,” the Chief Minister told the media.
A major sensation gripped the state last week after the video surfaced on social media, showing bundles of cash suspected to be worth several crores of rupees at a house in the Bhatkhowri area under Salema police station in Dhalai district.
Police, however, are yet to recover any cash from the residence of the concerned woman, who is the wife of a police constable.
Director General of Police Anurag reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction over the incident and directed senior officials to immediately rush to the area and take stringent action against all those involved.
Acting on the instructions of the police chief, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Manchak Ipper, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Northern Range) Rati Ranjan Debnath, Dhalai district Superintendent of Police Rushikesh Jaysing Desai, and several other senior officials launched an intensive investigation into the matter.
Police officials said that around 15 persons had been detained or questioned till late Sunday night in connection with the case.
The detained individuals include a few women, police personnel, Tripura State Rifles personnel, and an employee of the Health Department.
“All of them are currently being interrogated at Ambassa and Agartala police stations. After completion of the interrogation process, the police authorities would decide on their formal arrest,” a senior police official told IANS on condition of anonymity.
Police suspect the involvement of an inter-state racket linked to illegal financial dealings and drug trafficking activities.
Top sources said that nearly Rs 5 crore in cash has come under the scanner during the course of the investigation.
According to reports, the matter came to light after videos showing bundles of Rs 100, Rs 500, and Rs 2,000 currency notes inside the house of police constable Piyush Debbarma, a resident of Salema, went viral on social media.
Following the circulation of the viral video, Deputy Inspector General Rati Ranjan Debnath instructed Dhalai district Superintendent of Police Rushikesh Jaysing Desai to initiate an immediate probe into the matter.
Subsequently, a police team led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Nirupan Datta and Salema police station Officer-in-Charge Dipak Das conducted a raid at the residence of constable Piyush Debbarma.
During the questioning of Piyush Debbarma’s wife, police reportedly obtained the name of another woman, Sanjana Debbarma.
She was later detained for questioning.
Police also detained Constable Piyush Debbarma and subjected him to extensive interrogation.
Officials said that several crucial details reportedly emerged during the questioning of the detained individuals.
During the interrogation, the detainees allegedly made several allegations and counter-allegations against one another, further complicating the investigation.
Police suspect that a larger organised network may be operating behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Manchak Ipper said that a case has been registered and an in-depth investigation is currently underway.
Police are now trying to ascertain the source of the money and whether it was generated through fraud or linked to narcotics trafficking.
Officials suspect that the funds may have originated from illegal drug operations involving contraband smuggled into Tripura from outside the state.
–IANS
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