₹11.40 lakh seized from car during poll checks in Kerala’s Kasaragod; 28-year-old arrested

A 28-year-old man was arrested after the police seized ₹11.40 lakh allegedly being transported without valid documents in a car during intensified election surveillance in Kasaragod, Kerala, early on Wednesday.

The accused, P.P. Anoop, a native under the Azhikkal police station limits in Kannur, was intercepted around 2 a.m. near the taluk office traffic circle. A control unit conducting vehicle inspections flagged the car and recovered the cash during a search.

The police said the accused failed to produce documents explaining the source of the money. The amount was taken into custody and a case registered. Further legal proceedings have been initiated.

Officials said the seized cash would be produced before a court for further action. They reiterated that transporting unaccounted money during the enforcement of the election Model Code of Conduct constitutes a serious violation and would invite stringent action.

With Assembly elections approaching, special squads have intensified checks across the district, targeting suspicious vehicles. Inspections are being carried out not only on major roads but also on interior routes and vehicles crossing interstate borders, including checkpoints near Karnataka.

Authorities said surveillance would be further tightened in the coming days to curb the use of money to influence voters.