In separate places, cash worth Rs 2 crore, set-top boxes and a large quantity of illicit liquor were seized by flying teams and police teams implementing the model code of conduct for the April 6 assembly elections in Puducherry. .
According to Chief Electoral Officer Shurbir Singh, flying squad officers from Karkadamam, Thatanchavadi and Indira Nagar assembly constituencies intercepted a vehicle in Thanathai Periyar Nagar during a surprise investigation and seized the cash held therein.
Although the people carrying the cash in the vehicle revealed during interrogation that it was from a private bank, they could not produce valid documents to show the destination where the cash was being transported.
On the basis of suspicion that cash was intended for illegal distribution to voters, while the model code of conduct was in force for the assembly elections, the authorities handed over the cash to the Income Tax Department for further investigation.
Mr. Singh said that the cash was in the denomination of 500, ₹ 200 and the 100, and that the vehicle used for transportation was a private van usually used by banks.
In another incident, a flying squad of Mbalam, Nettapakkam and Bahur sections seized about 30,000 set top boxes worth approximately ₹ 2 crore from a house at Mariamman Koil Street, Kattukuppam.
STBs were installed in the first floor of the house along with the ground floor owner. An inquiry revealed that the STB was manufactured by a firm based in Ahmedabad and sold to a local company in the Thiruvandar Koil area. However, no permit could be made by the homeowner to hold such a large stock of STBs.
Flying Squad officials have seized the stock and sealed the site. A police complaint has been filed under the relevant provisions of the IPC and the Representation of the People Act.
In another raid, more than 3,650 liters of crack placed in the backyard of a crack shop in Nedungadu constituency in Karaikal were seized. The police team seized 57 barrels, each with a capacity of 50-liters and 20 gun bags, each with a capacity of 40 liters, valued at around Rs 57 7.30 lakh.
The CEO said that so far, an estimated 18,500 liters of illicit liquor worth 32 lakh have been seized.
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