HYDERABAD: A major controversy erupted on Monday after the Telangana police seized Rs 8 crore withdrawn by the

(BJP) from an Indian Bank branch in the city.

The BJP blamed the police of high-handedness and said it was an example of undemocratic rule prevailing in the state.

“The police broke windowpanes of the car and took the money as if they were criminals. They even forcibly barged into the strong room of the bank, where the withdrawn money was kept for safety reasons, and seized it. This undemocratic act by the police was done at the behest of their bosses in the government,” said BJP’s official spokesperson Krishnasagar Rao.

“We have even shown the bank statement to police. It only shows the overenthusiasm of police. We have not done anything illegal or anything overriding the Election Commission guidelines,” he added.

Defending their action, task force officials said that in view of the April 5-7 bank closure they were keeping a watch on huge cash withdrawals across city banks on Monday.

Money withdrawn to clear piled up dues: BJP

Acting on a tip off, they intercepted a Hyundai Verna car (AP 10 BE 1234) at Himayathnagar junction and seized Rs 2 crore from two persons — T Pradeep Reddy and G Shankar. They confessed that the cash was given to them by N Gopi, an office assistant at BJP state headquarters in Nampally, at Indian Bank’s Narayanguda branch. They also told police that Gopi had Rs 6 crore cash at the bank.

Police went to the bank and seized Rs 6 crore cash from Gopi and took four others into custody. Bank officials told police that Gopi, who regularly carries out bank transactions on behalf of BJP office from the party’s account, withdrew the amount on Monday by furnishing a self-cheque signed by BJP state president K Laxman and treasurer

.

As there was no limit on money withdrawn from a parent branch of the account holder, bank officials released it. But police said there was an upper limit in terms of election expenditure for the candidate, but admitted no such limit for the party.

“Bank statement was shown to us, but as per the rules we will handover the cash to Income Tax department to verify its source and the details of the bank account from where it was withdrawn. We have followed the Election Commission guidelines,” additional DG (Law and Order) Jitender said.

BJP leaders said the money was withdrawn to clear the dues piled up since January for party work. “All who were apprehended by police are our party workers and one of them, Gopi, is our accountant,” Krishnasagar Rao added.