Datia (Madhya Pradesh): The Police seized Rs 36.19 lakh in cash from two vehicles during intensified checking in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia district, where the Model Code of Conduct is in force for the upcoming Assembly bypoll, officials said on Friday.
The seizures were made at two separate checkpoints as police stepped up surveillance to prevent the movement of unaccounted cash and ensure strict compliance with the Election Commission’s guidelines.
Datia Superintendent of Police (SP) Mayur Khandelwal said intensive vehicle checking was being carried out across the district under the Model Code of Conduct.
“Our priority is to ensure that the Assembly bypoll is conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner. Vehicle checking has been intensified at inter-district borders, major routes and other sensitive locations,” Khandelwal added.
According to the police, around Rs 15 lakh was recovered from a youth travelling in a car during a surprise inspection by the Datia SP at the Sevda Chungi checkpoint.
The Static Surveillance Team (SST) was immediately informed, and legal proceedings were initiated.
In another operation at the Goraghat checkpoint, police recovered Rs 21.19 lakh from a Scorpio SUV car. The vehicle owner is being questioned about the source of the cash, and further legal action is being taken in accordance with Election Commission norms.
With the two recoveries, the total cash seized by Datia Police in a single day reached Rs 36.19 lakh.
Khandelwal said police teams would continue round-the-clock checking until the completion of the election process.
“Strict action will be taken against anyone found violating the Model Code of Conduct or the Election Commission’s directions. Our teams are maintaining continuous vigil across the district,” he added.
The Election Commission has scheduled polling for the Datia Assembly bypoll on July 30, while counting of votes will be taken up on August 3.
The by-election was necessitated after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified following his conviction in a criminal case.
Police said Static Surveillance Teams, Flying Squad Teams and local police have been deployed across the Assembly constituency to monitor the movement of cash, liquor and other inducements as part of efforts to ensure free and fair polling.
(IANS)
