During an intensive monitoring drive for the upcoming municipal elections, police authorities in Pushkar, Ajmer district, seized unaccounted cash totaling ₹1,08,79,000 from a hotel establishment. The surprise search operation led to the discovery of the massive currency stash in the basement quarters of the hotel proprietor. Following the recovery, law enforcement officials confiscated the entire sum and arrested the hotel owner, identified as Bankesh Sen, while initiating a multi-agency financial investigation into the origin and intended destination of the money.
Unannounced Search at Hotel Sparrow Near SDM Office
The raid took place at Hotel Sparrow, situated right opposite the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Office in Pushkar. A team of law enforcement personnel, headed by Pushkar Station House Officer Ashok Bishu and Rural Circle Officer Satyendra Negi, arrived at the establishment with a strong police force. The officers launched a comprehensive inspection of the entire property, checking guest rooms and common spaces. The hotel structure comprises a basement along with two upper floors, containing approximately seven rooms in total. Hotel proprietor Bankesh Sen resided in a room located within the basement area, where searching officers located the large collection of currency notes.
Cash Counting Carried Out Using Special Machines
Because of the exceptionally high volume of notes retrieved from the room, counting the money manually proved challenging for the inspection team. Consequently, police officers contacted local bank personnel and requested them to report to the location with cash-counting machines. Bank staff conducted multiple rounds of counting using the automated equipment to establish an exact tally. The final verification confirmed that the seized amount totaled exactly ₹1,08,79,000 (one crore, eight lakh, seventy-nine thousand rupees). As soon as the counting concluded, authorities locked down access to the hotel, restricted all movement on the premises, and deployed heightened security measures around the building.
Income Tax Probe and Election Link Investigation
The surprise check was executed as part of an active enforcement campaign under the Model Code of Conduct declared for the 2026 Municipal Body General Elections in Rajasthan. Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating whether this large sum of cash was connected to election activities or intended for distribution during the upcoming local polls. Police have formally impounded the entire cash amount and informed the Income Tax Department so that tax officials can examine the financial records, tax history, and transaction trails related to the money. Interrogation of hotel owner Bankesh Sen is underway to clarify where the cash was procured, why it was kept in the basement room, who handed it over, and where it was scheduled to be delivered. Officials stated that a complete picture will emerge after verifying all financial documents and completing the ongoing questioning.
