Cash distribution continues in many areas on election eve despite vigil

Sources said a flying squad rushed to Manachanallur in the morning hours after being alerted about the cash distribution. The team caught Sekar, a member of AMMK, for distributing the cash and seized Rs 2,700 from him. In another incident, Veramuthu of AMMK and Rajendran of AIADMK were caught while distributing cash in Srirangam. The officials seized Rs 48,400 in cash from the duo. All three were booked for violating the model code of conduct.

The Tirupur police took into custody two Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) functionaries allegedly for distributing cash to voters on Wednesday.

Acting on a tip-off received by the election control room around noon, a team of flying squad staff rushed to 15 Velampalayam. On seeing the flying squad personnel, a large crowd of people, who had gathered at the spot to receive the cash fled. The officials inquired two persons, identified as Prabhu (32) and Vinod Kumar (31) in connection with the incident. The duo, both local functionaries of AMMK, hailed from Sirupooluvapatti in Tirupur district. The officials seized Rs 5,000 in cash, party pamphlets and voters list of the 14th ward of Sirupooluvapatti in their two-wheeler.

Following this, the flying squad staff informed the 15 Velampalayam police, who took the duo into custody. Further inquiries are under way.

Flying squad officials seized Rs 36,500 in cash after unidentified men abandoned a bag containing the money in Arakkonam on Wednesday.

The flying squad personnel reached Ichiputhur in the town after being informed that money was being distributed to voters. Upon seeing the approaching officials, a few persons who were standing outside a house dropped a bag and fled the spot. The cash was handed over at the Arakkonam taluk office. The police have registered a case against two persons on suspicion. Further investigations are on.

Meanwhile, I-T Department officials who raided the house of AIADMK functionary and former Pallikonda town panchayat chairman Subramani (64) on Wednesday left without finding any incriminating documents or cash.

The flying squad conducted a raid at the residence of N R Congress president and Leader of the Opposition N Rangasamy at Kadirgamam in Puducherry here on Wednesday. A five-member team conducted the raid for around 90 minute and left the spot. They, however, did not reveal whether they seized anything from the house.