New Delhi: During the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, the Income Tax Department has conducted an extensive crackdown, resulting in the record seizure of Rs 1100 crore in cash and jewellery. This incredible capture represents an 182% increase over the Rs 390 crore confiscated during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The Election Commission of India announced the dates of the Lok Sabha elections on March 16, aligned with the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). Since then, the Income Tax Department has heightened its vigilance, monitoring and seizing unaccounted money and items that could be used to influence voters.
Top States In Seizures:
Delhi and Karnataka were the two places with the most cash and jewels seized—over Rs 200 crore each. Close behind, Tamil Nadu recorded seizures totalling Rs 150 crore. Over Rs 100 crore worth of cash and jewels were seized in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha combined.
Robust Measures To Curb Unaccounted Cash:
Each state has established 24×7 control rooms to monitor and prevent the unauthorized flow of money that politicians could use to influence elections and to stop unethical behaviour. The MCC specifies that anyone found in possession of new items costing more than Rs 10,000 or cash exceeding Rs 50,000 without the appropriate paperwork will have these items seized. The items will be returned if proper documentation is provided indicating that they have no connection to the elections. Any cash seized that exceeds Rs 10 lakh will be forwarded to the Income Tax Department for further investigation.
