West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; North 24 Parganas, June 11: The startling discovery of more than ₹1 crore in cash inside a school premises in Kanchrapara of North 24 Parganas district has triggered widespread shock and prompted a police investigation. The huge amount of cash was reportedly recovered from a room designated as a sick room within the school. Alongside the cash, investigators also found contraceptives and various everyday-use items, raising further questions about the use of the facility and the circumstances under which the money was being stored.

The incident took place at Kanchrapara Harnett English Medium School, where authorities conducted an extensive operation stretching from late Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Following the recovery of the cash, local residents expressed disbelief, while law enforcement agencies moved swiftly to secure the premises and initiate an inquiry.

Personnel from the local police station and central security forces reached the school after receiving information about the recovery. Given the large volume of currency, cash-counting machines were brought to the school premises during the night. Initially, two counting machines were deployed, but a third machine had to be brought in later as the counting process continued for several hours.

Officials involved in the operation stated that the counting exercise continued until approximately 4:30 a.m. on Thursday. Preliminary estimates suggested that around ₹1.44 crore had been counted by that time. Police sources indicated that more than ₹1 crore was recovered from ten separate packets found inside the room.

The school's accountant was detained and taken to Bijpur Police Station for questioning. Investigators are currently attempting to determine the source of the cash, the reason it was being stored within the school premises, and whether any financial irregularities were involved.

The incident has also sparked political reactions. Local MLA Sudipta Das visited the school and made serious allegations regarding the institution's management. According to him, the school's managing committee had previously been headed by former Kanchrapara municipal chairman Kamal Adhikari, who is currently absconding. Das alleged that Kamal Adhikari and his brother, former MLA Subodh Adhikari, had effectively converted the school into what he described as a private retreat rather than an educational institution.

Questioning the presence of such a large amount of money within the school, the legislator remarked that no educational institution would ordinarily keep such a huge quantity of cash on its premises. He further raised concerns about the existence of an air-conditioned guest room reportedly furnished with beds, wardrobes, and other amenities, asking why such facilities would be maintained inside a school.

School authorities have offered a different explanation. Principal Bikash Chandra Pal stated that the recovered cash consisted of admission and fee collections belonging to the school. According to him, the money had been accumulated through legitimate institutional transactions and was being kept on the premises for administrative purposes.

Police have not yet confirmed the school's explanation and have launched a detailed investigation into the matter. Officials are expected to examine financial records, fee collection documents, and other relevant evidence to establish whether the cash was being held legally and whether all necessary procedures had been followed.

The discovery of such a substantial amount of cash inside a school has generated intense public interest across the district and beyond. As investigators continue their probe, authorities are expected to question additional individuals connected with the institution and scrutinize the school's financial operations in greater detail.