During the election to State Assembly, Law enforcement agencies seized ₹55 crore in cash but released 90 % of the amount without penalising the accused, revealed the city-based civil rights body Forum for Good Governance in its analysis based report released here on Saturday.
A total of 3,561 cases were registered during the run up to State Assembly elections held in December 2018. Of this, a total of 548 cases were related to cash seized from constituencies. In some districts the police handed over the cash they seized to the returning officers. In other cases they released it to IT department or revenue officials, the RTI replies obtained by the forum revealed.
“In one of the cases which was referred to the IT department it was clearly mentioned that the amount was seized when it was in transit for distribution. When that was the case why did the police not book the case under Section 171 of IPC where enquiry can lead to the involvement of contesting candidates,” said G. Padmanabha Reddy of the forum. Under IPC Section 171 the accused, if proven guilty, can be imprisoned for a period of one year, he noted.
Other than the cash seized, a total of 52 cases were booked for attempts to distribute sarees, sports good or gold to the voters. “In these cases the gold was returned to the market,” said Mr. Reddy. A total of 1,872 cases were also booked on those who attempted to distribute liquor among voters.
Speaking to media persons Mr. Reddy said Chief Election Officer had not maintained transparency while revealing data on malpractice cases during the previous elections. “Now with Lok Sabha elections nearing us these mistakes should not be repeated,” he added.
