According to sources on Friday, the Income Tax Department has seized jewelry and cash worth over ₹1,150 crore during the current Lok Sabha elections. Compared to the ₹ 390 crore taken during the most recent general elections in 2019, this represents an increase of 182%.
Delhi and Karnataka had the most seizures out of all the states, each seizing more than ₹ 200 crore worth of cash and jewelry.
Following Tamil Nadu, which saw seizures totaling ₹ 150 crore, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha saw combined seizures of cash and jewelry valued at over ₹ 100 crore.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) had announced the Lok Sabha Elections on March 16, after which the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was enforced nationwide.
Since then, the Income Tax Department has been seizing unaccounted cash and valuables that could potentially be used to influence voters.
Central agencies have been placed on high alert to ensure adherence to guidelines, focusing on monitoring the movement of cash, liquor, freebies, drugs, jewellery, and other items that could influence voters.
Every state has set up round-the-clock control rooms to monitor the unauthorized transfer of funds that political candidates may use in their campaigns. The MCC, which seeks to discourage unethical behavior and encourage moral behavior, is applicable to all political parties and candidates.
If someone is caught with more than ₹50,000 in cash or more than ₹10,000 in new merchandise without the necessary paperwork, these items will be seized. The items will be returned if the person can show with legitimate documentation that they have nothing to do with the elections.
But if the amount of cash taken in exceeds ₹10 lakh, it will be sent to the Income Tax Department for additional examination.