Madras HC orders CBI probe into pre-poll seizure of Rs 570 cr

The Madras High Court on Monday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the transport of Rs 570 crore in three containers and its seizure near Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu in May 2016.

The court ordered the CBI to take action as per law if it finds sufficient material in support of the petition filed by a DMK leader.

The court heard the petition filed by DMK spokesperson T.K.S. Elangovan alleging serious doubt about the genuineness of the belated claims of the State Bank of India (SBI) over the Rs 570 crore seized during the run-up to state assembly elections held on May 16.

On May 13, 2016, the Election Commission's surveillance team at Tiruppur chased and seized three container lorries transporting cash to the tune of Rs 570 crore.

The seized lorries were brought and parked in the office of District Collector of Tiruppur from May 14-17, 2016.

The SBI has said that the cash belonged to it and it was being transported to its cash chest in Andhra Pradesh when it was seized by the Election Commission officials.

According to Elangovan, huge cash should be transported by rail and escorted by local police which was not done in this case.

He also alleged that the cash transfer was not supported by proper documentation.

--IANS

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