Ahead of the last phase of elections slated on June 1, money was allegedly distributed to people in an attempt to influence voting at Shala Mundali and Godhimara villages under Udala Police limits in Mayurbhanj district in the dead of Wednesday night. Police have arrested two women in this connection.
The two are suspected to be linked to the BJD.
As per reports, a woman from Bhubaneswar and three others came in two four-wheelers to Dhala Mundali road late on Wednesday night.
The woman has been identified as Bijaylaxmi Mohapatra from Bhubaneswar. She and a local woman BJD worker were allegedly distributing cash when local people informed police about the incident.
After searching the vehicles, police recovered cash and some T-shirts with printed images of BJD’s MLA candidate Trinath Soren and MP nominee Sudam Marndi.
Cash worth Rs 1.91 lakh along with two vehicles was seized. The cash was stuffed in over 50 packets and each packet contained around Rs 2000 to Rs 3000.
In another twist to the incident, it was alleged that a bagful of cash was inside a car, but it was later found missing.
Police arrested two women and detained the drivers of the two vehicles.
Further investigation into the case is underway. Police are trying to ascertain the source of the cash.
Though our reporter tried to contact the Udala IIC and the SDPO, their reactions could not be obtained.
(Report by Prakash Mohanty)