In big success in drive against the misuse of money power during elections, Hyderabad police have seized `7.51 crore cash, more than half of it in one single case.
With this, the total seizure of cash since the beginning of Telangana State Assembly election process has gone up to `62 crore. This was huge compare to `74 crore seized during the entire process in 2014. As one more month has to go to the polling on December 7, authorities fear that the cash pile up will continue and create a new record.
Hyderabad police commissioner Anjani Kumar told the media that during the checking of vehicles, a stash of bundles of big current notes to the tune of `5.47 crore was found in a Volvo car in posh Banjara Hills. A cash counting machine and a revolver was also seized from them.
“Four persons were arrested as they were not able to produce any document to justify carrying such a huge amount of cash”, he said expressing doubts that the money had come through Hawala channel and was meant for bribing the voters.
Four persons arrested include Ashish Kumar Ahuja, Sunil Kumar Ahuja, Bhabut Singh Raj Purohit and driver Mohammed Azam.
Commissioner’s Task Force, Flying Squad and a Static Surveillance Team took part in the operation.
“We are questioning the arrested persons about the source and the destination of the money”, the commissioner said. They have told the police that the money was to be distributed among the voters at different places in the State.
Commissioner said that the Hawala operators have opened bank accounts in the name of shell companies falsifying the documents to mislead banks and the Government. Huge amounts were transferred to these accounts, he said. The Central Crime Station will take up further investigation, he said.
In another instance police seized `2 crore from a vehicle on NTR Marg in the city. Smaller amount of `3.5 crore was seized from Joshi Wada in the old city.
Police have informed the Income Tax and the Enforcement Directorate about the seizure of the big amounts and they have taken up probe in to the money trail to identify those behind it.
With the latest seizure the police have stepped up their vigil and were strictly checking the vehicles at the all the check posts.