Election officials seize unaccounted bank cash

The seized amount was higher than what was declared in the letter approved by the bank and produced by the officials. Due to the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct in view of the   Tirupparakundram by-election, various surveillance teams and flying squads were appointed to stop flow of cash for distribution to voters in the district and the constituency. 

When a team was involved in checking the vehicles, they intercepted a private car at Kannanur post near Chekkanurani   tollgate. When the car was checked, the officials found cash to the tune of Rs.2.94 crore inside. When questioned, the persons inside the car claimed they were officials of a scheduled bank and were transporting the exchanged Rs.500 and Rs.1000 notes to the main branch at Madurai. 

When the documents were scrutinised, it did not tally with the cash in the car. Officials took the cash to the election control room at the Collectorate in Madurai. Madurai Collector K. Veera Raghav Rao, also had discussions with the bank officials. Speaking to reporters later, Rao said the bank officials did not have proper supportive documents and even the signature and the seal for official approval of transfer of the cash were missing. 

“There is strong doubt about the real intention of the transport of the cash,” the Collector said. He claimed that there was an excess of Rs.5 lakh in the car but the bank officials had informed him that it was a “clerical error.” He also said the cash was transferred from three branches in Theni district to Madurai. The cash from Theni branch alone amounted to Rs.1.55 crore. But the challan on which the cash transaction was recorded did not have either the signature of the bank manager or his official seal. However, bank officials contested the claims of the Collector. 

Ramesh, Chief Manager, South Indian Bank, claimed that the amount was the exchanged amount _ post demonetisation drive _   of the last three days in three branches and the cash was transferred only after the approval, he said.