Raids Conducted By Election Flying Squad Leads To Seizure Of ₹8.59 Lakh From DMK Union Secretary In Nilgiris

During a raid initiated by the election flying squad in response to a complaint from the BJP regarding alleged monetary transactions benefiting DMK MP A Raja, authorities swiftly acted and seized ₹8.59 lakh from the vehicle of a DMK union secretary in Kotagiri, Nilgiris district.

Reports emerged on 16 April 2024, of cash being distributed by DMK in Kumaran Nagar, leading to a confrontation at the police station involving DMK representatives. Concerns were also raised about cash-for-votes in Sakkatha  village, within the Kothagiri Aravenu area under the Nilgiris Parliamentary Constituency. This information was relayed to Flying Squad officers by BJP and Naam Tamil Party officials.

Subsequently, Flying Squad Officer Rajalakshmi and Kothagiri Inspector Jayamurugan launched an investigation. Upon confronting the DMK union secretary in Kotagiri, special police forces searched the vehicle of the DMK union secretary, Nellai Kannan, discovering ₹ 8.5 lakh in cash, which was confiscated.

An ongoing inquiry seeks to determine the purpose of the seized money. It has been transferred to the Regional Transport Office (RTO), with officers taking measures to hand it over to the appropriate authorities.

Similarly, in Annur Kumaran Nagar, complaints of cash distribution by DMK prompted swift action by special police forces. A DMK member caught with cash was apprehended and taken to Annur police station for interrogation. The presence of a large number of DMK supporters at the station led to a tense situation, with demands for the release of the arrested individual.

In Bhavanisagar, within the Nilgiris Lok Sabha constituency, intensive vehicle searches are being conducted by flying squads, resulting in the seizure of cash and jewelry. Consequently, political parties are resorting to alternative methods to distribute money.

In response, certain political party leaders, speaking to Dinamalar, remarked that election expenditures are escalating annually. They highlighted that flying squad officers often overlook money transfers by the ruling party, focusing primarily on seizing funds from opposition parties, and tend to scrutinize cars and jeeps exclusively. Allegations were made that both the ADMK and DMK are dispersing funds to voters in the Bhavanisagar constituency, with these funds reportedly being transported through town buses, old mopeds, and disguised as workers.

(With Inputs From Maalaimalar)

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