Rs 3.98 Crore Seized from Car in Sagar, Police Suspect Hawala Link

The vehicle, travelling towards Maharashtra, was intercepted after police received a tip-off that a large amount of cash was being moved from Katni. Officers conducting the blockade stopped the car and discovered bundles of ₹500 and ₹200 notes concealed in a specially built compartment beneath the middle seat. Two occupants were detained for questioning.

Following the recovery, the Sagar police alerted the Income Tax Department. Teams from Jabalpur and Sagar reached the police station on Wednesday morning to begin counting the cash, examining documents, and recording statements. According to initial findings, the money was reportedly loaded at the Katni bypass and was meant to be delivered in Malad, Mumbai.

Police sources said the hidden storage box indicated deliberate concealment, strengthening suspicions of hawala involvement. Investigators are now tracking the network of agents believed to be coordinating the movement of cash between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Preliminary interrogation of the driver and car owner revealed that they regularly undertook such trips and were paid ₹20,000 per run, in addition to allowances for fuel and food. Officers are verifying their claim and attempting to identify the individuals who handed over the money in Katni.

Police Station In-charge Jaswant Singh confirmed the recovery amount at ₹3.98 crore and said the Income Tax Department has taken charge of further investigation. Authorities are now focusing on identifying the source of the funds, the intended recipients in Mumbai, and the wider network behind the operation.

The case is expected to expand into a multi-agency probe as investigators examine financial trails and potential links to illegal transactions across state lines.