In the first major electoral offence registered during the run-up to the October 15 Maharashtra Assembly polls, the local police have arrested sitting Independent MlA Sitaram Ghandat for allegedly disturbing money among people to seek votes.
Acting on a tip-off that the supporters of Ghandat, who is re-contesting the polls, are engaged in the distribution of money among the voters, the local police — together with the Election Commission officials — caught the sitting MlA red-handed, while allegedly handing the money to the voters at Tandulwadi in Gangakhed taluka of Parbhani district. The police seized Rs 27,000 from Ghandat’s supporters and arrested four of them,
Following their questioning of four persons, the police raided the residence of Ghandat and arrested him. Ghandat, who was arrested on October 2, was released on bail on Sunday. Meanwhile, the police have also arrested a few supporters of another candidate in the fray Ratnakar Gute while allegedly distributing money among votes to seek their support.