22,270,45 litres of liquor seized in poll-bound Karnataka

There has been a 4.5 times increase in the number of seizures ahead of this Karnataka elections this year when compared to 2018.

The seizures have totalled more than Rs 375 crore so far. The Enforcement Directorate has attached assets with Rs 288 crore following the imposition of the Model Code of Conduct, the Election Commission of India informed.

In a release, the Election Commission of India said that the thrust on inducement-free elections from the past few elections has continued and led to sustained efforts for election expenditure monitoring in the poll bound state of Karnataka. "The recorded seizures in the state mark a significant 4.5 times increases as compared to the elections in 2018. Strict bible, extensive monitoring, coordination with the neighbouring states and inter-agency coordination has led to checking flow and distribution of inducements in Karnataka this time," the poll body also said.

The commission also informed that drugs worth Rs 26.67 crore have been seized. Further the liquor seizure in terms of litres has been 22,270,45. Precious metals worth Rs 24.21 crore has also been seized the poll body said.

The commission also said that the extensive monitoring process began months before the announcement of the elections. The commission has also reviewed the law and order situation and inter-state vigil through border check posts in the poll bound state which votes on May 10. There was also a vidil in the neighbouring states of Goa, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the commission said.

The notable hauls include the seizure of Rs 4.04 crore in cash in Bangarpet in Kolkar, the commission also informed through its release. Sarees and food kits have been seized from Kalaburgi, Chichmagaluru and other districts. Further huge number of pressure cookers and kitchen appliances ere also seized from several districts, the commission said.