Rs 40.5 lakh cash seized while being transported to bypoll-bound Bijepur

Bargarh: Cash worth Rs 40.5 lakh were seized from a car near Mahulapali square in Bargarh district this evening. Sources suspect that the money was being moved for use in the upcoming Bijepur by-election.

Padampur police seized the cash which were in bundles of Rs 2000 & Rs 500 denominations. The vehicle has also been seized and police have detained the driver.

“The police had prior information that money is being transported illegally ahead of the Bijepur bypoll. Therefore, we had set up check posts at different places. This evening near the Mahulpali, a car was checked after its suspicious movements. A total of Rs 40.5 lakh cash was seized from the car which was going to Bijepur from Padampur,” said Laxmi Narayan Panda, Padampur SDPO.

Driver Rajesh Agarwal could not give a satisfying answer about the cash following which he was detained and the vehicle was seized in presence of Magistrate, Panda added. Besides, the State Election Commission has been informed about the matter, he stated.