JOIN USThe police on Wednesday seized Rs 9.5 crore in cash, which was being transported without permission, through the poll-bound Chikodi-Sadalga Assembly constituency, a day before the election.
Police said the money was being transported in a van from Belgaum to Miraj and belonged to Union Bank of India. The nationalised bank was moving the cash from its main branch in Belgaum to its branch located at Fort Road in Miraj.
Though the bank officials produced relevant documents, the police seized the cash as it was being transported without the permission of the Returning Officer.
Detained for questioning
The police have detained five persons, including a bank official, the van driver and two security guards, for questioning.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Deputy Superintendent of Police S R Patil said the bank officials claimed it to be an inter-branch cash transaction and were transporting Rs 9.5 crore. The police are yet to count the cash.
The bank officials produced documents to support their claim, but did not have the required permission of the Returning Officer concerned to transport the cash, the DySP said.
The van also had an ‘On Government Duty’ tag. This too is being investigated. The police will register a case of poll code violation, he said.