Rs 19 lakh unaccounted cash seized in Odisha

Rourkela/Rayagada: Ahead of the polls, cash worth more than Rs 19 lakh was seized in separate places in Odisha today. As stipulated by the model code of conduct which is in force, individuals are not allowed to keep more than Rs 50,000 in their possession.

The officials in-charge of election duty seized Rs 6 lakh from a car near Ambagan Chhak in Rourkela whereas Rs 3.20 lakh were seized by a three-member team from another vehicle on Kuanramunda-Biramitrapur road in Sundergarh district. As the occupants in the cars could not provide satisfactory explanations regarding the source of the money, the poll officials seized the cash.

"While Rs 6 lakh was seized from a vehicle in front of the Telephone Bhawan, the officials recovered Rs 3,20,960 cash from another car near Lasa Chhak. As the persons carrying the cash could not give satisfactory answers, we have seized the money," said Biswa Ranjan Rath, nodal officer, Rourkela.

In another incident, the special squad engaged in poll duty seized Rs 10 lakh cash from a car during a search near Katapeta on Rayagada-J.K.Pur road. Sources said the district administration is investigating the source and destination of the cash.

"The officials frisked the vehicle on suspicion and seized Rs 10 lakh cash. As the model code of conduct is in force, action will be taken as per rules," said Amrut Rituraj, project director, DRDA, Rayagada.