Pune: In a significant development, Pune Rural police seized ₹5 crore in unaccounted cash from a car during a routine check on the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway on Monday. This incident comes in the wake of the model code of conduct that was implemented in Maharashtra on October 15, ahead of the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for November 20.
The operation took place near the Khed-Shivapur plaza, where police conducted a nakabandi (checkpoint) and intercepted a vehicle traveling towards Satara. Upon searching the car, officers discovered the substantial cash amount concealed within, prompting immediate counting by both police and district election officials. An investigation into the source of the funds is currently underway, with police officials emphasizing the importance of transparency during the electoral process.
मिंधे टोळीतील एका आमदाराच्या गाडीत खेड शिवापूर टोल नाक्यावर १५ कोटी सापडले!
हे आमदार कोण?
काय झाडी…
काय डोंगर….
मिंधे यांनी निवडणुकीसाठी प्रत्येक उमेदवारास ७५ कोटी पाठवले
१५ कोटी चा हा पहिला हप्ता!काय बापू..
किती हे खोके?
@ECISVEEP
@AmitShah
pic.twitter.com/tb7DuPWV3W— Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) October 21, 2024
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has alleged that this seizure is just the tip of the iceberg. He claimed via a post on social media platform X that an even larger sum—₹15 crore—was seized from a vehicle belonging to a member of the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Raut’s statement raises questions about the potential misuse of resources by political parties during the election period.
The Election Commission has mandated strict adherence to the code of conduct to ensure a level playing field in the elections, and authorities are on high alert to monitor any suspicious activities related to cash movement. Local officials have reiterated their commitment to uphold electoral integrity and have called for the public to report any irregularities.
As the election date approaches, both the authorities and political parties are under intense scrutiny. With such large sums of cash being intercepted, concerns about illegal funding in politics continue to escalate, and this incident may lead to further investigations into the financial activities of candidates in the run-up to the polls.
