Police check vehicle documents at an election checkpost on Goodshed Road, Bengaluru on Thursday. The Election ... Read More

BENGALURU: Election Commission officials have seized Rs 30 lakh cash and booked around 28,000 people in Karnataka under preventive sections of the Criminal Procedure Code to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.

Chief Electoral Officer Sanjiv Kumar said static surveillance teams, flying squads and police initiated action in various parts of the state. He appealed to the public not to carry more than Rs 50,000 cash and gift more than Rs 10,000. Kumar said: “Documents are not necessary if public are carrying cash less than Rs 50,000 and gift items worth less than Rs 10,000. If the cash or gifts are of higher value, then people may need to produce valid documents to explain the source of the money.”

Kumar said 1,512 flying squads and 1,837 static surveillance teams have been deployed. Static teams seized Rs 9.5 lakh cash and 30kg of silver worth nearly Rs 12 lakh, while flying squads confiscated Rs 20.5 lakh cash and a vehicle carrying articles worth Rs 52 lakh. Police seized 292 litres of liquor worth Rs 70,000 and filed 21 FIRs.

Meanwhile, the excise department seized 57,590 litres of India-made liquor and other liquor worth Rs 3.5 crore and booked around 124 cases, 69 cases for breach of licence conditions and 237 cases under Karnataka Excise Act. “Around Rs 4 crore worth liquor and 102 different vehicles were seized,” Kumar added.

In the past 24 hours, around 42,492 arms were deposited in various police stations and 296 arms were impounded and nine arms licences were cancelled. About 6,400 non-bailable warrants were also executed since the elections were announced.

No nod for private functions

Kumar said there is no need to obtain permission from election officials for private functions like marriages and other ceremonies. There is no need to take permission for public functions attended by political persons but such events will be under the surveillance of model code of conduct teams. “Legal action will be taken if there is distribution of gifts by political persons or they appeal for votes,” he added.

