This is the first time a prominent politician has been found carrying unaccounted cash since model code of conduct came into effect.

A flying squad of the EC on Saturday seized Rs. 9 lakh unaccounted cash from a car in which All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi leader and actor R. Sarath Kumar, who is contesting the Assembly election from Tiruchendur on the AIADMK’s ‘Two Leaves’ symbol, was travelling.

The flying squad personnel attached to the Tiruchendur Assembly constituency had intercepted Mr. Sarath Kumar’s car near Sahupuram at 4 a.m. The flying squad, led by Tahsildar P. Vallikannu, found the cash inside the vehicle. Mr Vallikannu said the actor-turned-politician was unable to produce any document to account for the money. Mr Sarath Kumar merely told the officials that he was in possession of the money to meet expenses for his campaign. The actor could not be reached for comments.

Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni told The Hindu that “in cases like this, where money is seized from the candidate, an FIR is filed by surveillance officials and a charge-sheet follows. If it is proved in the course of legal action that the money was meant for distribution to voters, the candidate would be disqualified.”

Mr. Lakhoni said the amount (Rs. 9 lakh) would be included in the candidate’s election expenditure. “If the money exceeds per candidate expenditure ceiling of Rs. 28 lakh, the candidate would be disqualified,” he added.

Mr. Sarath Kumar is a sitting MLA from Tenkasi. This is believed to be the first instance of cash being seized directly from a candidate in this Assembly election.

Rs. 49.7 lakh recovered

A team of officials searched the house of AIADMK branch secretary M. Govindarajan at Thittakudi in Thanjavur district on Saturday and seized a sum of Rs. 49.7 lakh, which was allegedly meant for distribution to voters.

Online complaint

Flying squad and other teams led by Special Tahsildar Ramesh swooped down on the house following an online complaint to the Election Commission.

Upset, Mr. Govindarajan fell unconscious and was rushed to hospital.