'Record seizures' of cash and liquor as Karnataka heads to polls

Seizures totalling over Rs 108.78 crore have been recorded so far in Karnataka, marking a 400 per cent increase in recovery of drugs, liquor and cash meant to induce voters in the run up to the polls, the Election Commission said on Monday.

In just 11 days of MCC coming into effect, Rs 37.24 crore in unaccounted cash, 5.23 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 26.68 crore, 397 kg of illegal drugs worth Rs 11.54 crore, 34.36 kg of gold worth Rs 14.96 crore, and freebies worth Rs 15.80 crore have been seized, the election commission said.

Due to coordinated efforts of enforcement agencies, extensive monitoring, and adequate deployment of field teams, "the results are encouraging" with Karnataka witnessing seizures of Rs 108.78 crore after announcement of elections which surpasses the seizures made duration of enforcement of Model Code of Conduct in assembly elections, 2018 which was all of Rs 20.12 crore, the Election Commission said.

According to the poll body, since the announcement of model code of conduct police have registered 965 FIRs with regard to the seizure of cash, liquor, illegal drugs, precious metals, and freebies.

According to an Indian Express report, nearly 2,611 cases were booked under preventive sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and 3,837 persons were detained.

The excise department has registered 1,138 heinous cases, 768 cases for breach of licence conditions, 40 NDPS cases and 3,771 cases under section 15 (a) of the Karnataka Excise Act 1965. Also, 743 vehicles have been seized.

The flying squad seized drugs worth Rs 8.17 crore in the Jayanagar and Chickpet constituencies of Bangalore South City.

On Sunday, the Static Surveillance Team seized Rs 34 lakh cash in Yadgir district and 56 televisions worth Rs 21 lakh in Nelamangala constituency in Bengaluru Rural district. The Excise department has seized 54,282 litres of liquor worth Rs 1.62 crore.

Karnataka will vote on May 10 and results will be declared on May 13.