Telangana Assembly elections: ‘Hawala’ cash of Rs 7.51 crore seized, 4 arrested

Telangana Police have arrested four people and seized ‘hawala’ cash to the tune of Rs 7.51 crore — intended for bribing voters — on Wednesday. These cash were meant to bribe voters ahead of the December 7 Assembly elections.

Briefing more about it, Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar told that the huge cash was seized from various locations in a joint operation carried out by wings of the city police and the Static Surveillance Team.

Kumar further added that they have arrested four people in connection with this case and have also informed the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax department to investigate the trail of the financial transactions and involvement of shell companies.

The commissioner was of the opinion that the cash was coming from other states and the four operators were planning to distribute crores of rupees in Telangana. The police also suspect that the money could have come abroad through ‘hawala’ channels so that they can be used ahead of the Assembly elections.

Police while conducting search operation, have found a .32 bore revolver and ‘hawala’ cash from Bahbut Singh Raj Purohit and have arrest him. Kumar made it clear that the police will not allow any individual or political party to influence the election by use of cash and help in ensuring a free and fair election.

Till now the Telangana Police and the I-T department have seized a total of of Rs. 56.48 crore unaccounted cash — Rs. 38.71 crore and Rs. 17.71 crore respectively — from different parts of the state up to November 5.

The Assembly elections for Telangana will take place on December 7 and the results will be announced on December 11, along with four other states.

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