Flying squad seizes gold, cash worth Rs 1.2 crore in Madurai

The model code of conduct was imposed in Tirupparankundram constituency due to the by-election. The model code was also extended to the entire district. Election officials were tasked with confiscating gold and cash that were being carried by people, without proper documents, beyond the stipulated amount of Rs 50,000. Due to this, merchants who were carrying large sums of money via Madurai to other southern districts were affected. On Wednesday morning, the flying squad intercepted Suresh Kumar, a gold trader, who was travelling by car from Chennai at Chittampatti toll gate near Melur. When the officials inspected his car, they found Rs.19,29,280 lakh and 3.25 kilograms of gold jewels worth Rs.93 lakh. As he did not have the required documents, the officials confiscated the money and the gold. The District Collector and Returning Officer of Tirupparankundram were informed and the seized items were taken to the Madurai collectorate. 

Speaking to media persons, Madurai Collector, K Veera Raghav Rao, claimed that Rs.29,14,300 lakh in unaccounted money and goods worth Rs1.11 crore were seized so far. In total, 34 cases of violations were also filed so far in the district. He further claimed that as the value of the items that were seized on Wednesday were more than Rs10 lakh, the Income Tax department was also alerted. If the proper documents are produced, the seized items will be returned, added the Collector.

In an effort to increase the efficiency of the flying squads and the officials involved in election duty, GPS facility had been installed in all the vehicles used by the officials.