Election squad seizes jewellery worth ₹77 crore in Chennai

Election flying squad on Thursday night seized 381.762 kg of gold and silver jewellery, valued at ₹77.29 crore, during a vehicle inspection in Ashok Nagar, citing the lack of valid transport authorisation under the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

The interception took place on 11th Avenue in Ashok Nagar, under the T. Nagar Assembly constituency, as part of routine election surveillance. The vehicle, belonging to a private logistics firm, was stopped for verification.

Officials said the firm had been permitted to transport goods using a specified number of authorised vehicles. However, the intercepted vehicle was not listed among them, and a search revealed a substantial quantity of gold and silver jewellery.

Initial inquiries indicated that the consignment had been sourced from traders in Sowcarpet and was being transported to the company’s office in Guindy, from where it was to be distributed to traders in other States.

As the transport did not comply with election regulations and lacked the necessary documentation, the entire consignment was handed over to the Income Tax Department for further investigation.