Silver coins found in Damoh during excavation, owner booked after 102 coins recovered
The case of silver coins found in Damoh has triggered a police and archaeology investigation after workers allegedly unearthed British-era silver coins and silver rods during house construction work in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district.
Police registered a case against house owner Alok Soni after recovering 102 silver coins from the property. Labourers claimed that a much larger quantity of silver, weighing over 35 kg, was discovered during excavation.
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Silver coins found in Damoh during house construction
Officials said the incident took place on Saturday during excavation work at an ancestral property in Damoh. Labourers allegedly found a brass pot containing old silver coins while digging the foundation.
After receiving information, police, revenue officials and archaeology experts visited the site on Sunday to inspect the excavation area.
Authorities initially recovered 42 silver coins from the house owner. During further searches, police seized another 60 coins allegedly hidden inside a steel container in a nearby house.
According to archaeology officials, the coins feature images of Queen Victoria and King George V, indicating they belong to the British colonial era from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Labourers allege silver treasure was concealed
Labourer Heera Patel from Hathna village said workers first found a brass pot during excavation. He claimed several silver coins and silver rods later emerged from the soil.
The labourers alleged that the house owner collected the coins in buckets and later offered them only Rs 500 before asking them to leave the site.
“Workers alleged that several silver coins and rods were recovered, while only part of the discovery was disclosed to authorities,” officials said.
Police probe into silver coins found in Damoh
Damoh CSP HR Pandey said labourers Manoher Kachhi, Omprakash Athya and Heera Patel filed complaints after the excavation.
Police alleged that the property owner failed to inform the administration about the discovery and attempted to hide facts during questioning.
Investigators registered a case under provisions related to concealed treasure and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Officials also seized all 102 recovered coins for further examination.
House owner rejects allegations
House owner Alok Soni denied claims that large quantities of silver were recovered from the site.
He said only 42 coins were found at the ancestral property and accused labourers of exaggerating the claims to seek a bigger share.
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