RPF seize over Rs 1 cr in cash and gold during poll vigil
The Statesman | 17 April 2026
In a major breakthrough the railway protection forces (RPF) seized cash and gold worth over one crore during the ongoing election vigilance.
In the backdrop of the ongoing West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), under the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), has launched an intensive surveillance drive across the railway network.
As a part of the intensive drive carried out at Bamangachi railway station, the RPF officials intercepted two individuals and recovered unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 32,03,900 along with 43,000 US Dollars which was equivalent to Rs 40,02,440. The total seizure amounted to Rs 72,06,340 marking one of the most significant seizures in recent operations.
In yet another significant vigilance operation, the RPF conducted a well-coordinated operation at Kolkata Railway Station that led to the interception of two individuals with 251.51 grams of gold jewellery valued at Rs 28,84,284. According to official sources, all the recovered assets, along with the apprehended individuals, were handed over to the Income Tax Department for necessary legal proceedings.
The vigilance drive by the RPF is to have resulted in record seizures during the current election period, marking a sharp increase over the previous elections in 2024, according to the official sources. A look at the data till last Friday, during the ongoing 2026 elections, the RPF has recovered unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 2.37 crore in 16 cases, leading to the arrest of 17 offenders, a substantial rise from Rs 1.37 crore seized during the 2024 elections.
In the category of narcotics and related items, major recoveries include about 1,890 kg of liquor valued at Rs 8.76 lakh in 67 cases, resulting in the arrest of 54 offenders, according to the figures received till 10 April. Further, 1.032 kg of heroin valued at Rs 2 crore has been seized in one case with one arrest, and approximately 367 kg of ganja valued at Rs 1.83 crore has been recovered in 23 cases leading to 13 arrests. In addition to other seizures including gold, silver and commercial contraband, banned cough syrup worth Rs 95,634 were seized in two cases with the arrest of three offenders. Overall, the total value of seizures during the 2026 elections till last Friday stood at Rs 12.05 crore, involving 124 cases and 102 arrests, registering an increase compared to Rs 3.65 crore during the 2024 elections.