Over Rs 4.16 crore in cash has been seized by election expenditure monitoring officials in various places across the State, including the premises of DMK candidate for Aravakurichi constituency K.C. Palanichamy .
Income Tax department officials seized Rs. 2 crore from the residence and other premises of Mr. Palanichamy and his son K.C.P. Shivaraman at Karur, Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni said. Based on inputs , the raids were conducted by the IT officials.
In Vikravandi of Villupuram district, cash to the tune of Rs. 1.3 crore was seized by officials and another Rs. 23 lakh was seized from a rice mill in the same town, he said, adding that Rs. 63 lakh was seized from a home in Gingee .
So far about Rs. 98 crore in cash has been seized by officials across the State and about Rs. 37 crore returned on production of proof to show that it was not meant for election purposes.
More flying squads
The Election Commission of India has taken strict measures to curb the menace of giving money and favours for votes and has increased the number of flying squads to over 6,000 teams.
