A typist working at the office of Minister for Backward Classes Welfare C Puttarangashetty was caught with Rs 25.76 lakh in unaccounted-for cash by the Vidhana Soudha police on Friday.

The typist, identified as Mohan, was caught leaving the minister’s office with a bag in his hand around 6.30 pm. Police stopped him at the Vidhana Soudha West Gate (Kengal Hanumanthaiah gate).

Mohan, a resident of Malleswaram, has worked as a typist in the offices of various ministers. He was recently posted at Puttarangashetty’s office.

Police said he had befriended many contractors who frequented ministers’ offices at the Vidhana Soudha.

One such contractor arrived at the Vidhana Soudha and handed him over the bag.

An anonymous bystander, who saw the exchange, informed the police who checked then bag and seized the cash, all of which is in the denomination of Rs 2,000.

The police, who have opened a case under CrPC sections 41D (unaccounted money) and 102 (seizure of unaccounted money under suspicion as stolen), say Mohan has refused to disclose the source of the money.

They are reviewing the CCTV footage of the minister’s office and the surroundings, besides checking the visitors’ list.

What the minister says

“I am not in Bengaluru. I have nothing to do with the cash found in the Vidhana Soudha. The man carrying the bag of cash is not my personal assistant. I don’t know of any Mohan working in my office. Don’t drag me into this case,” he said.