Delhi polls: Record Rs 53-cr haul of cash, jewellery, liquor

New Delhi: Authorities have made a record haul of cash, jewellery, liquor and even drugs valued at nearly Rs 53 crore — including over Rs 10 crore in cash — in the run-up to February 8 Delhi Assembly elections, a senior election officer said on Friday.

The haul was made between January 6 and February 5, Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Dr Ranbir Singh told IANS.

Liquor valued at over Rs 2.63 crore, drugs/psychotropic substances valued at over Rs 5.87 crore and jewellery valued at over Rs 32.18 crore were seized during this period.

According to official figures, 402 cases were registered under the Arms Act and 440 persons arrested in the run-up to the elections. A total of 1,021 cases were registered under the Excise Act and 1,029 persons arrested. As many as 7,397 licensed weapons too were seized.

A total of 534 FIRs were registered for the violation of the model code of conduct during the period, including a maximum of 37 against the Aam Aadmi Party.

Ranbir Singh said that after the model code of conduct came into force on January 6 for the Assembly elections, the seizures were made possible as the Election Department had geared up its functioning to ensure free and fair elections.

According to the office of the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer, the value of seizures done ahead of the 2015 Assembly elections was pegged at only Rs 2.42 crore, including over Rs 42.38 lakh in cash.

Nodal Officer Nalin Chauhan, posted in the state Election Department headquarters, said that seizures valued at Rs 52,87,69,815 since January 6 included Rs 10,02,79,540 in cash compared with only Rs 42,38,500 in 2015.

IANS