Ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, scheduled on November 20, the Mumbai police have seized INR 2.3 crore cash from 12 persons at Kalbadevi in south Mumbai.
Moreover, the Election Commission (EC) flying squads and police teams in various parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) have seized INR 5 crore in cash, liquor and freebies worth more than INR 13 crores and a vehicle with pressure cookers in four incidents in the past two days.
As the model code of conduct came into force on October 15 for the state elections, surveillance teams formed on the instructions of the EC are checking the movement of potential inducements like cash, liquor, and other items.
In case of cash seizures, if there are no claimants, the cash will be handed over to the Income Tax authorities, said an officer.
Details of South Mumbai Case:
The Mumbai police have seized INR 2.3 crore cash from 12 people at Kalbadevi in south Mumbai on Thursday night, November 7.
Officials added that the individuals could neither produce any documents linked to the cash nor explain why they were carrying so much money.
Acting on inputs, a team of Lokmanya Tilak Marg police station and poll officials intercepted a group of people on Thursday night.
While a search led to the discovery of INR 2.3 crore, the individuals could neither produce any documents linked to the cash nor explain why they were carrying so much money, an official said.
After paperwork and questioning, which went on till the early hours of Friday, the money was seized and the 12 persons carrying the cash were detained, he said.
The cash was later handed over to the Income Tax (I-T) department for further probe, the official stated.
MMR:
Case 1
The police said that the car with pressure cookers had the poster of Vijay Choughule, the Independent candidate from Airoli seat who is contesting under the election symbol pressure cooker.
The car was confiscated at Koparkhairane in Navi Mumbai on Thursday night the officials are checking if Choughule has divulged the details of the expenses for the pressure cookers before the EC.
Case 2
The another round of cash seizures was made by the Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar police in which INR 3.5 crore was seized from a van that was stopped at a police checkpost on Wednesday, November 6. Upon inspecting, the officers found the money inside the metal suitcases, which lacked supporting documentation.
Case 3
In another case, INR 1.5 crore cash was seized from another vehicle on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway.
Case 4
Between October 15 and November 5, authorities in Thane district have seized liquor, drugs and freebies worth INR 13.26 crore, officials have said, reported news agency PTI.
According to an official statement, a total of 209 FIRs have been registered in connection with the seizures, Thane Collector Ashok Shingare said during a review meeting with Special Observer (Expenses) B R Balakrishnan on Wednesday, November 6.
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