First poll-related cash seizure of Rs. 90 lakh from RTC bus

In the first seizure of cash related to elections in the capital after the model code of conduct came into force, the city police on Thursday recovered Rs. 90 lakh from a passenger while checking an RTC bus at Bollarum.

The passenger identified as Rajamouli of Karimnagar admitted that he had collected the cash from some unidentified persons at the behest of TDP leaders from Karimnagar, Bollarum Inspector G. Jagan said.

The 30-year-old accused stuffed the currency note bundles along with the clothes in a bag and was travelling in a Karimnagar-bound bus that started from Jubilee Bus Stand (JBS) at Picket.

Though crores of rupees were seized by the Hyderabad and Cyberabad police so far, this was the first instance where investigators stumbled upon some evidence suggesting that it was meant for elections.

In a majority of the cash seizure cases reported earlier, the money was returned to the persons concerned after they presented valid documents.

In other cases, the money was handed over to the Income Tax officials to ascertain sources of the money and further penal action.