Madras HC directs CBI to submit report on Rs 570 cr seizure

The Madras High Court today directed CBI to file a status report in connection with the seizure of Rs 570 crore by election officials in Tirupur district during the run-up to the recently concluded state Assembly elections.
Justice R Subbaiah, who heard the petition by DMK Press Relations Secretary and MP TKS Elangovan, directed the Director of CBI, New Delhi, the Joint Director and Head of Chennai Zone, CBI to file the status report with regard to the seizure, within a period of two weeks.
The case pertains to the seizure of Rs 570 crore that was packed in 195 boxes inside three trucks, by officials on poll duty on May 13 in Tirupur district.

According to senior counsel P Wilson, who appeared on behalf of Elangovan, the trucks that carried the cash bore "bogus" registration numbers.
Besides, he alleged that the currency bundles displayed the seal of Axis Bank though the money was claimed by the State Bank of India.
"False letters" allegedly given by the SBI claiming that they had obtained permission from RBI Chennai, to transport the money, when such a clearance was not given, clearly shows that the money was meant for 'hawala' transactions and is probably from crime proceeds, he submitted.
Thus, offences under IPC as well as under Prevention of Corruption Act get attracted, the petitioner said while praying the court to issue directions to the CBI to register a case and conduct a probe in this regard and submit a final report before a competent court.

In a memorandum on May 31, the DMK had requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to order a probe by CBI and the Enforcement Directorate into the seizure as the party raised doubts over SBI claiming ownership of the cash.