A routine vehicle inspection by police in Dahod district led to the seizure of unaccounted cash worth more than ₹2.56 crore after officers intercepted an Ertiga car near Dhanpur Chowkdi in Limkheda, triggering a major financial investigation and prompting authorities to alert the Income Tax Department.

According to police officials, the seizure was made during late-night vehicle checking operations conducted by the Limkheda Police as part of intensified surveillance and anti-crime monitoring in the region. During the inspection, officers reportedly discovered three suspicious parcels packed inside the vehicle.

Upon opening the packets in the presence of panch witnesses, police found large quantities of Indian currency notes. The cash was later counted and estimated at over ₹2.56 crore. Officials said the amount was immediately seized under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Preliminary investigation revealed that the cash was allegedly being transported from an angadia firm operating in Dahod to Vadodara. Angadia services are traditional courier and cash transportation networks widely used in parts of western India, particularly Gujarat and Maharashtra, for transferring valuables, jewellery and cash between cities.

Police identified the driver of the vehicle as Rajubhai Ninama. During questioning, he reportedly failed to produce valid legal documents or transaction records related to the massive cash consignment. Investigators said the driver claimed the money had been handed over by a person identified as Bharat Chopra from Dahod and was meant for delivery in Vadodara.

Authorities said the absence of supporting financial documentation immediately raised suspicion regarding the legitimacy and source of the funds. Following the seizure, the entire cash amount was deposited in the government treasury while detailed reports were forwarded to the Income Tax Department for further investigation into possible tax evasion, illegal financial movement or hawala-related activity.

Officials have not yet disclosed whether any arrests have been formally made beyond the detention and questioning of the driver. However, sources indicated that investigators are now examining links connected to the angadia network involved in the transportation and verifying the ownership and intended destination of the seized cash.

The incident has once again drawn attention to the use of informal cash transport systems across parts of India, especially in Gujarat, where angadia channels continue to operate alongside formal banking systems. While many such services function legally and are widely used by traders and jewellery businesses, authorities have repeatedly flagged concerns over their possible misuse for unaccounted cash movement and financial irregularities.

Large cash seizures during highway checks have increased in recent years as enforcement agencies intensify surveillance related to tax compliance, election funding, hawala transactions and money laundering activities. Gujarat, due to its strong trading and business ecosystem, has witnessed multiple high-value cash seizures in past enforcement operations.

Police officials said the investigation remains ongoing and additional questioning of individuals connected to the consignment is expected in the coming days. Authorities are also examining whether the seized amount has any connection to undisclosed business transactions or organised financial networks operating across the state.

BNSS | Business Upturn

Gujarat Police seize ₹2.56 crore cash during routine vehicle checking in Dahod