As polls near, cash seizure on the rise

CHENNAI: Gold, diamond worth several crores were so far seized by flying squads. On Tuesday Rs 33 lakh seized from AIADMK worker.

According to poll officials, Flying Squad Team personnel seized gold and diamond jewellery worth several crores in Ashok Nagar during vehicle checks in Ashok Nagar on Monday night.

At Ashok Nagar, the FST officials intercepted a private van and during checks, discovered large boxes containing gold and diamond jewellery. The occupants claimed that the valuables belonged to prominent jewellery showrooms in the city and were being delivered from goldsmith units in Sowcarpet.

Since there were no proper documents being carried, officials seized the jewellery and transferred them to the government treasury office in Kodambakkam.

In another incident in Velachery late Sunday night, Flying Squad officials stopped a SUV near the Metro Water pumping station and while checking the car found Rs 33.37 lakh in cash.

The car was driven by Kannan, an AIADMK cadre from Adyar who told the officials that he was a partner in a TASMAC bar in Adambakkam and he was taking home the collection amount for the day.

Since he did not have valid documents, the cash was seized and handed over to the Income Tax department officials.

In another incident at Chennai Central railway station, Rs 30 lakh cash was seized from a passenger from Andhra Pradesh. The passenger claimed to be an agent of Andhra based jewellers who came to buy jewellery from goldsmith units in Sowcarpet.

So far the state poll officials had seized Rs 254 crore worth cash, jewel and freebies as on Tuesday. Of the total seizure, cash to a tune of Rs 103 crore seized so far, read a press release from chief electoral officer Sathyabrata Sahoo.

The Election Commission of India sleuths on Tuesday seized unaccounted money to the tune of Rs 74.50 lakh from a car during vehicle checks at the Vallam toll gate on the outskirts of Tamil Nadu’s Vellore town.

So far the state poll officials had seized Rs 254 crore worth cash, jewel and freebies as on Tuesday. Of the total seizure, cash to a tune of Rs 103 crore seized so far