I-T seizes Rs 1.48 cr suspected to bribe voters in TN
Team Udayavani, Apr 17, 2019, 12:59 PM IST
Chennai: The Income Tax Department on Wednesday said it has seized Rs 1.48 crore cash allegedly stashed to bribe voters in Tamil Nadu’s Theni district, where an assembly by-poll is scheduled this Thursday.
Unaccounted cash worth Rs 1.48 crore was seized. It was neatly packed in 94 packets and envelops on which the ward number, number of voters and the amount of Rs 300 per voter was written, I-T Director General (investigations) B Murali Kumar said, after the overnight raids concluded at 5:30 AM.
“All these wards are within the Andipatti assembly segment which is going to bypoll tomorrow,” the officer added.
Kumar added that the premises belong to a functionary of the AMMK party. In fact, the AMMK party office functions from the ground floor of the premises, he said.
The department will send a report on the operation to the Central Board of Direct Taxes and the Election Commission in New Delhi, a senior official said.
The tax department had launched a search at a store Tuesday night following inputs about suspected cash. During the raids, police had to open fire in the air to disperse supporters of the TTV Dhinakaran-led AMMK who objected to the action.
The tax official said the “sworn statement of the person present in the premises was recorded and he said that Rs 2 crore in cash was brought in there for distribution to voters in Andipatti panchayat union area on April 16.”
Describing the raids, the official said initially a group of party workers overpowered the flying squad persons, comprising district EC authorities and I-T officials, standing guard outside the premises. The workers broke open the door and snatched some cash packets.
No one was injured in the firing, a senior official said. Four AMMK volunteers were detained in connection with the incident.
The miscreants dropped some cash packets and fled with a few. The remaining cash in 94 bundles (Rs 1.48 crore) was seized by the department along with the envelopes, he said.
A postal ballot paper for Andipatti assembly by-election, which was already marked for an AMMK candidate, was also found on the premises and seized, they said
The district collector and the Superintendent of Police reached the spot and supervised the security, he said. The district police have filed an FIR against a number of persons, he added.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Scribe throws lapel microphone towards Sharad Pawar in Baramati; cops give clean chit
India delivers first batch of BrahMos missiles to Philippines
Air India cancels Dubai flights due to operational disruptions
2 Indian students killed in Scottish waterfall accident
Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Zero voter turnout in 6 Nagaland districts amid shutdown call by ENPO over separate territory demand
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
Injuries don’t define you: Mohammed Shami shares rehab update
Shivakumar desperately wants to become CM, says K’taka BJP chief Vijayendra
Scribe throws lapel microphone towards Sharad Pawar in Baramati; cops give clean chit
India delivers first batch of BrahMos missiles to Philippines
Air India cancels Dubai flights due to operational disruptions