Rs 1.65 cr cash, liquor seized in Bihar ahead of Assembly elections

Patna: As part of intensive drive to check the use of money and violation of Model Code of Conduct, Rs 1.65 crore unaccountable cash, 10,386 litres of liquor and 100 kg marijuana were seized on Monday from different parts of Bihar ahead of state assembly elections . Additional Chief Election Officer R Lakshmanan told reporters that Rs 1.38 crore cash was seized from a car in an area under Rampur police station area of Gaya. [caption id=“attachment_2427128” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. AFP[/caption] Senior Superintendent of Police Gaya Manu Maharaj told reporters at Gaya that preliminary probe revealed that a Mumbai based company’s vehicle was carrying Rs 1.65 crore for ATMs of two PSU banks. But, the cash was being carried in violation of norms laid down under model code of conduct, the SSP said adding Income Tax department officials have been involved in the probe into the matter. Elsewhere, Rs 13 lakh unaccounted cash were seized from under Kotwali police station in Patna, Lakshmanan said. Besides, Rs 6 lakh were seized in Vaishali, Rs 1.40 lakh in Madhubani, Rs 2.70 lakh in Bhojpur and Rs 2.90 lakh in Nalanda among others, he said. Lakshmanan said seizures were made during intense search of vehicles on a regular basis in accordance with model code of conduct. The Additional CEO said that during raids 10386 litres unlicensed liquor was seized from across the state. Besides, 100 kg of marijuana was seized in Khagaria district, he added. Giving more details, he said a total of 27 cases were registered under Defacement in Public Property (wall writing, posters, banners etc), 24 under Defacement of private property and 22 of misuse of vehicle (beacon, light and flag). On law and order front, seven unlicensed arms/weapons were seized and also 12 cartridges. In addition, 769 non-bailable warrants were executed and a sum of Rs 4,15,133 collected as fine in vehicle checking. Proper frisking of passengers and luggage was carried out at Jayprakash Narayan Airport in Patna, he said. PTI