Kolkata, April 5 – Ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the Kolkata Police and the Static Surveillance Team (SST) seized a large sum of unaccounted cash during a routine check operation in the Netaji Nagar Police Station area on Sunday.
According to police, the seizure took place at Plywood More on NSC Bose Road in the Tollygunge Assembly constituency in south Kolkata. A vehicle coming from the Alipore side was stopped for inspection. After searching the car, police officials recovered Rs 37,97,000 in cash.
The police said that one person, identified as Ashutosh Agarwal (36), has been detained. He is being questioned. However, he reportedly could not provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the source of the cash or the purpose of carrying such a large amount of money, especially in the run-up to the elections.
Police suspect that the cash was being illegally transported. There is a possibility that it may have been used for election-related purposes. The police are currently trying to determine the exact destination and intent of using such a large amount of money. The investigation is ongoing.
Following due legal procedure, the seized cash was handed over to the Income Tax Department.
According to the police, the owner of the money will be summoned and asked to provide valid and supporting documents. If proper proof is provided, the amount may be returned; otherwise, it will be deposited with the government.
It may be noted that the Election Commission, along with the West Bengal Police, has set up check points across the state to seize unaccounted cash which could be used for the purpose of elections.
Polling will be held in 294 Assembly constituencies of West Bengal in two phases on April 23 and 29. The results will be announced on May 4.
The Election Commission has taken several measures to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in this state. A certain number of observers have been appointed in all Assembly constituencies.