Termite-damaged cash worth Rs 1 crore found in Kolkata college room

Bundles of termite-damaged currency notes, reportedly including Rs 100 and Rs 500 notes, were recovered from two suitcases found inside a college union room at Surendranath College during a cleanliness drive in Kolkata.

In Short

• Cash mostly Rs 100 and Rs 500 notes, reportedly over Rs 1 crore
• Discovered during cleanliness drive before monsoon, police investigating
• BJP alleges corruption, demands probe and action against culprits

College officials at Surendranath College in central Kolkata were left stunned after bundles of currency notes damaged by termites were recovered from two suitcases found inside a college union room during a cleanliness drive ahead of the monsoon on Tuesday, triggering a police investigation and a political controversy.

The cash comprised mostly Rs 100 and Rs 500 notes and was found in a severely deteriorated condition. Some claims circulating around the recovery suggest the amount could be worth over Rs 1 crore, raising questions about who stored such a large sum of money inside the college premises.

The recovery was made during a cleanliness exercise conducted at the college following civic authorities' advice to educational institutions to clean their campuses before the onset of the rainy season. Workers entered the union room and discovered two old suitcases kept inside an almirah.

"When the suitcases were opened in the presence of college authorities, bundles of currency notes damaged by termites were found inside. The notes appeared to be old and in a severely deteriorated condition," a senior officer of Muchipara Police Station said.

After being informed, a police team reached the college and seized the suitcases along with certain documents recovered from the spot.

"At this stage, we are trying to ascertain the exact amount of money recovered and how long the suitcases had been lying there. We are also examining who had access to the room and how the cash came to be stored there," the officer said.

The suitcases were opened in the presence of representatives of both the day and evening sections of the college.

"Most of the notes are damaged and soiled. A detailed inventory is being prepared, and further steps will be taken after verification," the officer added.

Police said they are yet to establish the source of the money and identify the person or persons who kept the cash inside the room.

The incident quickly snowballed into a political row. BJP MLA Sajal Ghosh alleged corruption and demanded a thorough investigation into the recovery. He questioned how such a large amount of cash could remain inside a college union room without anyone's knowledge and sought action against those responsible.

The BJP also blamed a leader of the TMC student wing in connection with the recovery. Meanwhile, authorities opened a neighbouring union room and began checking all lockers inside as part of the ongoing examination.

The college authorities had not issued any official statement on the recovery till the filing of this report.

- Ends
With PTI inputs.