The Madurai Rural Police on Monday seized stainless steel utensils worth about Rs. 8 lakh, packed in 27 gunny bags, allegedly meant for distribution to voters.
Ahead of the Assembly election scheduled for April 13, the Election Commission of India issued guidelines to prevent bribing of voters in any form. Officials on poll duty tightened their vigil in such a manner that cash distribution for voters was prevented to a great extent. About 10 days ago, the police and revenue authorities seized Rs. 20 lakh in cash packed in envelopes and meant for voters near suburban Koodal Pudur .
Following a tip-off that there were plans to distribute utensils to voters in and around Vadugapatti near Vadipatti, police surveillance teams monitored the area in the last two days. A search on the premises of M. Amudhan revealed the vessels packed in gunny bags. Preliminary probe suggested that he had kept them for distribution to voters. He had conspired with his accomplice identified as B. Bala Rajendran of Bodinayakanpatti in Theni district.
Based on their confession, the Vadipatti police registered a case under Representation of the People Act, among others. The duo was arrested. Further investigation is on.
In another incident, the police recovered Rs. 26,500 in cash from a house in Vadugapatti and arrested M. Radhakrishnan for allegedly distributing cash to voters in the locality. Some voter slips were also found in the house.
