Shocking! Rs 1.26 cr-worth liquor, Rs 40L cash seized during Delhi polls

New Delhi, Feb 7: A total of Rs 40 lakh cash and over 53,000 litres of illicit liquor valued at Rs 1.26 crore has been seized by Election Commission-appointed surveillance teams at the close of polls in Delhi.

Apart from these, the surveillance teams registered a total of 44 FIRs in connection with the circulation and distribution of illegal inducements to voters in Delhi.

As many as 60 paid news cases were also registered with the poll panel since the time Assembly polls were announced here on January 12.

As per the latest data compiled by Election Expenditure Observers, over 90 teams, flying squads and static vigil squads have seized an estimated total of Rs 40 lakh cash, 53,395 litres of liquor valued at Rs 1.26 crore, narcotics worth Rs 74 lakh and over 40 fire arms in the run-up to the 70-seat Assembly polls in the state, where voting was held.

Besides, 347 excise cases have also been filed during this period.

The Commission has nominated over two dozen observers, drawn from Income Tax, Service Tax, Police and Excise departments, for checking blackmoney and other bribes to voters during the polls, which later was spread out into 210 flying squads and surveillance teams each.

In 2013 Assembly elections, the total cash seizure was Rs 2.14 crore and the liquor seizure was 41,998 litres. The counting of votes will be held on February 10.

PTI