The Railway Protection Force (RPF) detained two youths allegedly travelling with unaccounted cash to the tune of Rs 1.65 crore in Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Trivandrum Netravathi Express train on Friday.

According to sources, the arrested youths have been identified as Ganesh (23) from Maharashtra and Prakash (28) from Rajasthan. A travelling ticket examiner (TTE) found the behaviour of the youths suspicious and tipped off the RPF personnel about them. 

During the search operation, the RPF personnel detected two bags full of cash. RPF Udupi constable Mohammed M V was on his routine escort duty from Karwar to Mangaluru on the train. The TTE, who saw the duo boarding the train at Kumta railway station, was suspicious of their movements and tipped off Mohammed who in turn informed RPF SI in Udupi.

Udupi RPF SI Santhosh Gaonkar along with other personnel boarded the train in Udupi and questioned the duo till the train had reached Surathkal. During the interrogation, the youths had confessed to carrying money on behalf of their owner Jaswanth Singh for purchasing land.

Gaonkar said the money seized was in the denominations of Rs 2,000 and Rs 500. The Income Tax Department officials from Mangaluru too rushed to Udupi to trace the roots of the unaccounted money.

As the byelection to Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency (which covers Byndoor of Udupi district) will be held on Saturday, the police are investigating on whether the money is being transported for distribution among voters by political parties. However, a preliminary investigation had ruled out any such
possibilities.

It is said that both the arrested youths are working in a garment factory owned by Jaswant Singh in Rajasthan. Singh is in Kannur at present. The Income Tax Department officials have issued a notice summoning Singh to furnish documents for the release of the money.