In a major enforcement action, Mahasamund police in Chhattisgarh seized silver jewellery worth over ₹46 lakh from a passenger travelling on a private bus. The operation was carried out during routine vehicle checking at the Rehtikhol check post on National Highway-53, officials confirmed on Tuesday.

The passenger, identified as a resident of Cuttack in Odisha, was on his way to Raipur when the suspicious consignment was detected. Authorities said the seizure forms part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal transportation of valuables.

Suspicious Bag Found

According to officials, the bus operated by a private travel company—was stopped for inspection as part of intensified surveillance. During the check, a blue backpack belonging to one of the passengers raised suspicion.

A thorough search of the bag led to the recovery of approximately 18.590 kilograms of silver ornaments packed in plastic containers. The items primarily included around 600 pairs of silver anklets.

No Valid Documents

The passenger, identified as Raj Kishore Sharma alias Raju (58), failed to produce any valid documentation related to the silver consignment. Police officials stated that no purchase receipts, transport permits, or ownership proof were presented during questioning.

Acting on this, authorities issued a notice under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and seized the consignment for further verification.

Authorities Informed

Given the high value of the seized jewellery, Mahasamund police informed both the Income Tax Department and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Chhattisgarh. Officials indicated that these agencies will examine the financial and legal aspects of the case.

“The matter has been referred to concerned departments for further scrutiny. Necessary action will follow based on their findings,” a police officer said, as per reports.

Previous Similar Case

This is not the first such incident in the district. Around a month ago, police seized silver ornaments worth approximately ₹54.6 lakh during a vehicle check in the Komakhan area of Mahasamund.

In that case, over 21 kilograms of silver jewellery packed in multiple containers was recovered from a car. The occupants had also failed to produce valid documents, leading to the seizure of both the ornaments and the vehicle.

Ongoing Enforcement Drive

Officials said the seizures are part of a broader campaign to curb illegal trade and unaccounted movement of precious metals. Highway checkpoints have been strengthened in recent weeks following intelligence inputs about suspicious transport activities.

Regular inspections are being conducted on vehicles entering Chhattisgarh from neighbouring states, especially along key transit routes like NH-53.

What Happens Next

The seized silver jewellery will remain under official custody until verification is completed by the relevant departments. Authorities will assess whether the consignment was linked to tax evasion, illegal trade, or other financial irregularities.

If no valid ownership or transaction records are produced, further legal proceedings may follow. Officials indicated that stricter monitoring will continue in the coming days as part of ongoing Government Updates under enforcement drives.