Rs 3.9 crore, liquor seized in Karnataka

Officials in Karnataka seized Rs 3.9 crore in cash, 1,841 litres of liquor valued at Rs 23 lakh and 119 kg drugs valued at Rs 4.85 lakh during raids on political parties, their candidates and cadres ahead of the general election in April, said the state chief electoral officer (CEO) on Friday.

"The raids across the state are being conducted by 1,512 flying squads, 1,837 state surveillance teams, 320 excise teams and 180 commercial tax officials on election duty," said the CEO in a statement.

Polling will be held for 28 Lok Sabha constituencies across the state in two phases in 15 seats each on April 18 and April 23. Vote count is on May 23.

"The Income-Tax department sleuths have separately seized Rs 1.68 crore in cash, while the police booked 150 first information reports (FIRs) against the violators of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) that came into force on March 10 when the elections in the country were announced," said the statement.

The state excise department had cumulatively seized 4,10,353 litres of liquor valued at Rs 17.9 crore, booked 998 heinous cases, 943 cases for breach of licence conditions during the last fortnight.

The officials also intercepted and seized 479 vehicles of different models that were being used against the MCC by the stakeholders.

--IANS

fb/prs