Rs 4 crore hawala cash bound for Nagpur seized from secret chamber in pickup van in Chhattisgarh's Durg

Hawala cash headed for Nagpur ahead of Diwali has been seized, sending ripples through hawala traders. Police in Chhattisgarh's Durg district recovered Rs 4 crore from a Bolero pickup van. The cash was hidden in a secret chamber built into the rear of the pickup. Police have detained two people travelling in the vehicle. Preliminary information suggests the money had been sent to a hawala trader in Nagpur.

Chhattisgarh Police had received a tip-off that a large amount of cash was being taken towards Nagpur in a Bolero pickup van, registration number CG 04 U 0596. Acting on it, police set up a blockade on the way. The suspect pickup was stopped near Khursipar in Durg district and searched. A secret chamber had been built in a special way in the rear of the pickup, and bundles of notes were hidden inside. As soon as the chamber was opened, cash worth crores of rupees was revealed. Both occupants of the vehicle were then detained and questioning began.

According to police, the detained men have been identified as Bhavesh Bhai Jinabhai Dabhi and Vishnudev Dubey. Both work as cash couriers for a hawala network. They were coming to Nagpur to deliver the cash. Police are now trying to find out who owned such a large sum and to whom it was to be delivered in Nagpur.

With Diwali approaching, cash transactions have risen in Nagpur's markets. It is claimed, citing sources, that Rs 12 crore to Rs 15 crore in cash is brought to Nagpur from Chhattisgarh every day. After Raipur, Nagpur is considered a major centre of the hawala trade. Following the Durg police action, questions have also begun to be raised about the hawala network active in Nagpur. The biggest questions now are who the real owner of this Rs 4 crore consignment is, to whom it was to be delivered in Nagpur, and whether the action will let police reach the big names in the hawala trade.

According to sources, the recovered cash is said to belong to one P Vijay. He is said to run a large hawala business and to have an office in Vardhaman Nagar. His name has figured earlier in hawala cash seizures as well. The Durg police action has also caused a stir among Nagpur Police. Most hawala offices are under the Lakadganj, Tehsil and Kotwali police station areas. The Bhutada Chamber in the Itwari grain market is said to be the centre of the hawala trade.

A handful of people are said to rule Nagpur's hawala network, and the entire operation runs at their signal. They have built vast wealth from hawala earnings. Whenever any action is taken, their well-wishers become active. Most of the businessmen who have recently emerged with the help of politicians are said to be getting considerable help from the hawala network.