₹1,100 Crore cash, gold seized during 2024 elections, 3x the 2019 amount

Income Tax Department has seized over ₹1,150 crore in cash and jewellery during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, marking a significant 182% increase compared to the ₹390 crore seized in the 2019 elections, with a substantial amount of gold seized.

According to sources, Delhi and Karnataka recorded the highest seizures, with each state reporting over ₹200 crore in confiscated cash and jewellery.

Central Agencies Vigilant: Gold Seized in Crackdown on Electoral Malpractice

Tamil Nadu followed with ₹150 crore in seizures, while Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha collectively accounted for over ₹100 crore. These actions were initiated after the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the Lok Sabha elections on March 16, enforcing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) nationwide.

The Income Tax Department has been actively seizing unaccounted cash and valuables to prevent them from being used to influence voters. Central agencies have been on high alert, focusing on monitoring cash, liquor, freebies, drugs, jewellery, and other items that could sway voter behavior.

Each state has set up 24/7 control rooms to monitor and prevent the illegal movement of cash intended for electoral influence. The MCC aims to ensure ethical conduct by all political parties and candidates.

Individuals found carrying cash over ₹50,000 or new items worth over ₹10,000 without proper documentation will have these items seized. However, if valid documents are provided to show that the items are unrelated to the elections, they will be returned. In cases where the seized cash exceeds ₹10 lakh, it will be forwarded to the Income Tax Department for further investigation.

You might also be interested in – Government plans Rs 6,000 Crore K-9 Vajra procurement deal post-elections