Vehicle transporting 213 kg silver, Rs 11.89L seized

The Hirebagewadi police seized a sports utility vehicle (SUV) transporting 213 kilogram of silver and Rs 11.89 lakhs in cash near the Hirebagewadi Toll Plaza on Wednesday morning. The total worth of the seized items is Rs 55.56 lakh.

According to the police, Satish Bagawan Suryamshi, Dilip Anand Bandagar and driver Khanderao Vagmore are residents of Sangli in Maharashtra. They are involved in the illegal transportation of silver and cash, the police said.

The police, acting on a tip-off, intercepted the vehicle near the toll plaza. The silver was being transported in the form of biscuits and chains.

The accused, who claimed to be jewellers, failed to produce the requisite documents for transporting the valuables and cash. Preliminary inquiry revealed that they were transporting the silver to avoid tax. The seized goods and cash have been deposited in the court, while the Income Tax department officials are investigating into the source of the valuables and the money. The Hirebagewadi police have registered a case.