Chennai: A flying squad of the Election Commission in two different cases seized about Rs 2 crores at Alandur and Teynampet on Friday.
Disclosing the seizure to the media, the Assistant Electoral Officer of the Salander constituency Mr Parthiban said that they have been conducting vehicle checks to track the movement of cash and/or gift items meant for distribution to voters. While conducting a vehicle check on Butt road in St. Thomas Mount, they intercepted a car and found Rs 1.37 crores in cash, which was being transported without supporting documents.
The passengers in the car claimed that they were carrying the money to deposit it at a private bank outlet in the city. However, they could not produce valid supporting documents to prove their claim which led to the seizure.
The amount was handed over to the Income Tax department and the owners have been advised to produce the relevant documents to get the sum back. A case has been registered with the St. Thomas Mount police and inquiries are underway.
In the second case, flying squad officials seized Rs 85 lakhs from a vehicle in Teynampet. According to the police, officer Ramadurai examined the van which had Rs. 85 lakh inside.
The occupant was identified as Sabari. He told the officer that the money was to be deposited at ATM outlets. However, he could not produce the documents to prove his claim. The seized money was sent to the treasury at Egmore. Probe is on.
