(With PTI inputs)
Cash, gold, liquor and "freebies", have been seized, since the model code of conduct came into force in the state on 9 October.
Published Nov 14, 2023 | 11:11 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 14, 2023 | 12:03 PM
Income Tax Department office in Hyderabad. (Official Website)
The seizures by law enforcement agencies in poll-bound Telangana have crossed ₹552 crore. Cash, gold, liquor and “freebies”, have been seized since the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force in the state on 9 October.
A total of ₹188.5 crore in cash, 292.7 kg gold, 1,172 kg silver, and other valuables all worth over ₹178.9 crore, besides liquor worth over ₹83 crore, drugs/narcotics valued at ₹31.2 crore, and other items/freebies worth ₹69.6 crore were seized, according to a statement issued by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer.
Since 9 October, (when the schedule for the Telangana Assembly elections was announced) till 13 November, the total cumulative seizure by law enforcement agencies is valued at over ₹552.7 crore, it said.
On 25 October, the Hyderabad police said that their Commissioner’s Task Force Central Zone Team arrested two individuals and seized ₹10 lakh in an operation aimed at cracking down on a hawala money-transfer racket.
The cops had arrested two Congress workers for allegedly trying to woo voters by distributing pressure cookers at Gopanpalli Thanda on 9 October. They were distributing pressure cookers allegedly on behalf of Serilingampally constituency Congress leader Raghunath Yadav.
On 10 October, the Commissioner’s Task Force (North Zone) and the Banjara Hills police in Hyderabad seized unaccounted-for money worth ₹3.35 crore during a vehicle-checking operation in Banjara Hills.
During the inspection at TV9 Signal Junction on Road No 3 in Banjara Hills, the passengers of a vehicle were found behaving suspiciously, leading to a thorough search. Subsequently, the unaccounted-for money was found concealed in the vehicle.
Further investigation revealed that Chimpireddy Hanumantha Reddy, an employee of a private firm, and the other individuals in the vehicle were involved in the collection and distribution of hawala money across the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
The Congress has earlier lodged a complaint against the police to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar regarding poll-related checks. The party claimed that these checks were inconveniencing the general public.
The Income Tax (I-T) Department has formed Quick Response Teams (QRTs) in all 33 districts in Telangana and deployed 150 officers for election duty.
It said a round-the-clock control room and Complaint Monitoring Cell had been set up to receive information or complaints from the general public regarding cash and other items intended for illegitimate use in the election process.
The Complaint Monitoring Cell can be contacted at:
- Toll-free number — 1800-425-1785,
- Landline 040-23426201, 23426202,
- WhatsApp, Telegram – 7013711399,
- e-mail: cleantelanganaelections@incometax.gov.in
Furthermore, Air Intelligence Units (AIU) have been set up at Begumpet Airport and Rajiv Gandhi International Airport for 24×7 surveillance in coordination with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
The AIUs at all other airports in India that have connectivity to Hyderabad have also been informed to be on alert and monitor passengers travelling to the Telangana capital.
The Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) app is being used for the first time by the ECI in this election for verification of seizure reports.
Polling for the 119-member Assembly would be held on 30 November, while counting of votes would be taken up on 3 December.
(With PTI inputs)
