Mangaluru, Apr 12: As part of the implementation of the model code of conduct in Dakshina Kannada, teams of officials have seized Rs 27 lakh in cash, and campaign materials worth Rs 14 lakh (Rs 41 lakh in total) since March 29.
The flying squads, static surveillance teams, excise and police have also seized drugs worth Rs 8.2 lakh and liquor worth Rs 4.2 lakh in the district, after the declaration of the poll code. While teams have so far seized Rs 27.1 lakh in cash, nearly Rs 6.4 lakh has been returned after documents were submitted by those who were carrying it.
The flying squad that was checking vehicles as part of the model code of conduct in Punjalkatte police station limits, found an ATM cash delivery vehicle carrying Rs 10 lakh without proper documents, late on Monday. Dakshina Kannada SP Vikram Amathe said that the case has been referred to the cash seizures redressal committee.
Officials said that the district has 72 flying squads, 81 static surveillance teams and 11 excise teams, apart from police squads. Between March 29 and April 10, the teams had seized Rs 17.1 lakh. While two expenditure related cases were registered during the period, three cases have been registered for excise law violations in the district.
The Election Commission has already appointed nodal officers for the implementation of the model code of conduct in each constituency in the district. Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat CEO Kumar is the district level nodal officer for the model code of conduct in the district.
Kumar, who is also the head of the cash seizures redressal committee, said that teams of officials should deposit the cash seized in the government treasury, and that the cases need to be referred to the committee.
“After verification of documents submitted by those who were carrying the money, the committee will take an appropriate decision. There is an SOP issued by the Election Commission for seizure of money during the implementation of Model Code of Conduct.
As per the SOP, the vehicle carrying the money without proper documents needs to be videographed, to show the details of the vehicle, as well as the cash recovered from it. Vehicles carrying money, above Rs 50,000 and below Rs 10 lakh, can be released, if sufficient documents are produced,” Kumar said.
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