73 kg ornaments seized at Salem, Rs 10 Cr in Palladam

The Election flying squad Thursday seized 73 kg of gold and silver articles from a van during a vehicle check near Salem while Rs ten crore was seized from another vehicle in Tirupur, officials said.

Officials intercepted a van at Kondalampatti, some 160 km from here, in the early hours and on search found huge quantity of ornaments packed in plastic bags, election department sources said.

The occupants said the ornaments were being taken to different jewellery stores from Mumbai and handed over documents.

However, officials found more ornaments in the vehicle than mentioned in the documents and handed them over to the assistant returning officer, who informed district collector Rohini.

Rohini asked the occupants about the documents and not satisfied with their replies, alerted Income Tax officials, who seized the ornaments.

Meanwhile, Rs 10 crore was seized from a van near Palladam in Tirupur district.The cash was being taken by the staff of Tamil Nadu Mercantile Bank at Podanur near here reportedly to Tuticorin, election department sources said.

However, there was no valid document for the cash transfer and it was seized at Karadivavi.

The election flying squad seized Rs 5 lakh and two air guns from a vehicle at Vadavalli in the city.

However, those travelling were working with a security firm. They informed the officials that the cash was being transfered to a bank and submitted documents following which the money was returned.

They, however, did not have valid licence for possession of guns which were confiscated, officials added.