The Police in Datia, Madhya Pradesh, confiscated Rs 36.19 lakh in cash from two vehicles during heightened inspections in the district where the Model Code of Conduct is in effect for the upcoming Assembly bypoll. The seizures occurred at separate checkpoints as part of increased surveillance to curb the movement of unaccounted cash and ensure adherence to Election Commission guidelines. Datia Superintendent of Police Mayur Khandelwal emphasized the importance of conducting the bypoll fairly and transparently, with intensive vehicle checks being conducted throughout the district.
In one instance, approximately Rs 15 lakh was found on a youth in a car during a surprise inspection at the Sevda Chungi checkpoint by the Datia SP. The Static Surveillance Team was promptly alerted, and legal procedures were initiated. At another checkpoint in Goraghat, police discovered Rs 21.19 lakh in a Scorpio SUV, prompting inquiries into the cash’s source and the initiation of legal actions in line with Election Commission regulations. The total cash seized by Datia Police in a single day amounted to Rs 36.19 lakh with these two incidents.
Datia Police pledged to maintain round-the-clock inspections until the election process concludes, emphasizing strict enforcement against any violations of the Model Code of Conduct or Election Commission directives. The Election Commission has set the polling date for the Datia Assembly bypoll on July 30, with vote counting scheduled for August 3. The by-election follows the disqualification of Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti due to a criminal conviction. Various police units have been deployed across the Assembly constituency to oversee cash and inducement movements, ensuring a fair and free polling process.
