Election Department Officials on Saturday seized more than ₹3 lakh from a car that was flying the party flag of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
According to sources in Chennai District Election Office, the car (TN16C 3535) was proceeding towards Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar at 10.30 a.m. and was flagged down at the check post in Harinarayanapuram by a junior engineer of the Chennai Corporation. The occupants of the vehicle claimed that they were members of the same family. However, the team led by junior engineer C. Panneerselvam screened the vehicle and found currency amounting to ₹3,21,600. The team alerted the flying squad.
“The officials became suspicious only after finding that the car was flying the AIADMK flag and had the Two Leaves symbol. But the persons continued to claim that they belonged to the same family,” said an official.
Even as the passengers Naveenkumar and Jeenraj reiterated that they have not violated the election law, the police officers decided to seize the cash, pointing to the party symbol and the flag in their vehicle.
Flying squad officials booked a case and handed over the currency notes to the sub treasury, Fort Tondiarpet. “Stringent action has been taken to prevent bribing of voters in the constituency,” said an official of Chennai District Election Office.