Director General of Income Tax (DGIT), Investigation, Karnataka and Goa, has stepped up its surveillance and monitoring activities as part of enhanced alertness in the wake of Assembly elections on May 12.
The DGIT sleuths believe that currency notes seem to be flowing in poll-bound Karnataka.
So far, the sleuths have seized Rs 4.13 crore cash and 4.52 Kg gold Jewels valued at Rs 1.32 crore. Majority of the currency notes seized are in denomination of Rs 2000 and Rs 500.
Out Rs 4.13 crores, an amount of Rs. 4.03 crore is in these denominations.
"When people are finding it difficult to withdraw notes from banks and ATMs, seizure of high denominations is raising eyebrows," states a press release.
Bangalore city tops the list with Rs. 2.47 crore, followed by Bellari with Rs 55 Lakh.
A high level of alertness is being maintained in airports and railway stations added the release.
A person carrying Rs 16.5 lakh was intercepted at on one of the airports, but he failed to explain the source of the cash.
The sleuths seized Rs 37 lakh cash from his Mumbai premises.
In total, the sleuths have seized Rs 53.50 lakh unaccounted cash from him.
In one of the districts, a contractor had transferred Rs 55 lakh to a person who had withdrawn it.
The sleuths detained the duo and the contractor admitted to concealment of Rs 16 crore.
In another case, household articles worth Rs 9.51 crore intended for distribution was found in a warehouse near Mysore. During the investigation, it was established that the articles were meant for distribution.
The sleuths have informed the district election officer to initiate measures against the distribution of the articles.
In another case, Rs 50 lakh was seized from a private person.
The Income tax department has set up the 24x7 control room in Bengaluru to receive complaints.
It has also formed strike teams with statutory powers in all districts.
The department is keeping a strict vigil in all airports in Karnataka and Goa.
The Investigation Wing has collected contract payment details of the last quarter and is comparing with previous years' details to identify abnormal cases.
The sleuths are co-relating bank transactions and cash withdrawals.
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