Home » Telangana » I T Sleuths Question Amr Group Head After ₹3 5 Crore In Cash Is Seized During Election Related Checks

I-T sleuths question AMR Group head after ₹3.5 crore in cash is seized during election-related checks

Since the Model Code of Conduct came into effect, the police have so far seized cash and other valuables worth ₹130.26 crore.

BySouth First Desk

Published Oct 21, 2023 | 5:34 PM ⚊UpdatedOct 21, 2023 | 5:34 PM

IT raids on AMR Group in Hyderabad.

The sleuths of the Income Tax (I-T) Department in Hyderabad on Saturday, 21 October, reportedly questioned AMR Group chairman Mahesh Reddy in connection with the seizure of ₹3.5 crore by the city police during a surprise checking conducted as part of the election bandobust duty in Banjara Hills.

After seizing the cash, officials from the I-T Department and the Special Cell of the Election Commission of India (ECI) carried out raids at over a dozen places to zero in on the source of the ₹3.5 crore.

It was the personnel of the Hyderabad Police Commissioner’s Task Force that seized the cash in Banjara Hills and handed over the cash to the I-T Department, which immediately started its probe and questioned Reddy.

Sources said the money was brought from a neighbouring state to fund the election expences of a particular political party.

They said the reasons behind questioning Reddy was to know to which party the amount was supposed to be handed over, and from where it was brought without any valid receipt.

Also Read: I-T seizes ₹102 crore in raids in Telangana, AP, Karnataka

MCC in Telangana

With the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) coming into effect after the announcement of the election schedule in Telangana — which goes to the hustings on 30 November — the police intensified surveillance at several strategic locations and began checking vehicles and persons moving under suspicious circumstances.

So far, the police and other enforcement agencies have seized cash, liquor, gold and silver jewellery and other valuables worth ₹130.26 crore.

Sources said the enforcement agencies were chalking out an action plan to intensify checking of vehicles in the next few days.

A constant vigil was being maintained on those driving four-wheelers and even bikes to check them for hiding unaccounted cash.

On its part, the Prohibition and Excise department is leaving no stone unturned to contain the flow of liquor. It seized more than 52,000 litres of liquor as part of the drive conducted in coordination with other enforcement agencies.