Unaccounted cash, articles worth ₹13.58 lakh seized in Tirunelveli in five days

The static and flying squads, which have been deployed in five Assembly constituencies of the district ahead of April 23 Assembly elections, have so far seized ₹13.58 lakh-worth articles and unaccounted cash in the district ever since the election model code of conduct came into force on last Sunday evening.

It includes unaccounted cash of ₹7.91 lakh and ₹5.67 lakh-worth articles, which were transported without proper documents.

According to District Collector R. Sukumar, nine flying and as many static squads have been deployed in Tirunelveli, Ambasamudram, Palayamkottai, Nanguneri and Radhapuram Assembly constituencies and these teams were working round-the-clock in 8-hour shift.

With the teams checking vehicles with due police protection, the teams have seized ₹13.58 lakh-worth articles that included readymade garments till Thursday (March 19) forenoon.

Apart from this, the police are also conducting random surprise checks in which liquor and drugs being smuggled by the peddlers were being seized.

“The police have seized liquor bottles and banned narcotic substances valued at ₹76,203 during these checks since last Sunday and registered cases under appropriate sections,” the Collector said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sukumar has formed a committee to release the seized cash and the articles upon submission of acceptable accounts supported by valid documents.

He said the seized cash or articles would be deposited in the District Treasury through the Returning Officer. Those who ‘lost’ the unaccounted cash or the articles can get it back after producing valid documents or proper accounts.

The ‘release committee’ comprising Project Director of District Rural Development Agency, District Treasury Officer and Personal Assistant to Collector (Accounts) will scrutinize the documents submitted by the parties concerned and release the seized cash and the articles.

In Tenkasi district, unaccounted cash of ₹30.23 lakh and ₹8.35 lakh-worth articles have been seized by the flying and the static squads till Tuesday night.