Chaos over missing parcel containing cash from bus

Tension prevailed at Ghode Wala Chowk here this morning after a Delhi-Jammu tourist bus was stopped by a group of persons, alleging that a parcel containing cash had gone missing.

According to information, Punit, alias Gandhi, a local resident, claimed that four parcels had been dispatched to him from Delhi by a trader. He alleged that each parcel contained ₹2.5 lakh in new currency notes. While three parcels were delivered to him in Hoshiarpur, one parcel was missing. Gandhi accused the bus driver and conductor of having stolen it. He claimed that this was the legal money and notes were from the RBI and packets sent to him by a trader as he deals in cash which is used for garlands, etc at weddings and other celebrations. He called some of his accomplice who came there and stopped the bus.

As the group did not allow the bus to proceed, passengers called the police. The bus was later taken to the Model Town police station for inquiry.

The bus driver, however, maintained that he had been told in Delhi that the parcels contained visiting cards and he had been asked to collect ₹1,600 as charges. He feigned ignorance about the contents. He further alleged that one of Gandhi’s associates had earlier mentioned a much larger amount of money but his accomplice had asked him not to disclose this.

Police officials said the possibility of the money being linked to hawala transactions could not be ruled out. The SHO of Model Town police station stated, “Investigation is on to ascertain the facts and the source of the money. Prima facie, it appears that both parties are concealing information. Action will be taken once the matter is verified.”