MALDA: Four people were arrested at Itahar and Rs 1.6 crore in banned notes were recovered from them on last night. A case has been lodged and the Income Tax department is verifying their bank accounts.

An Indica Vista headed to Raiganj from Kolkata via NH-34 was stopped by the policemen around 11.30pm at Gotlu Mor near Itahar. The officers found several sealed packets inside the car. On being asked, the four revealed the packets had cash. “Later, it was found that there was Rs 1.6 crore in banned 500and 1000-rupee notes inside the packets,” police told reporters.

The detained persons were identified as Manab Burman, Sanjoy Deb Burman, Madhab Sarkar and Biplab Raha -are insurance agents.