Election team seizes ₹22.90 lakh from trader in Hadapsar ahead of Maharashtra polls
- On October 22, 2024, the Election Commission's Static Surveillance Team seized ₹22.90 lakh from a trader in Pune's Hadapsar area.
- The trader, Baktumal Sukheja, stated he was on his way to deposit the cash when intercepted during a routine check.
- The incidents have sparked concerns about election integrity and the transparency of the electoral process in the lead-up to the state assembly elections.
In Maharashtra, a Static Surveillance Team confiscated ₹22.90 lakh from trader Baktumal Sukheja in Hadapsar on October 22, 2024, as part of pre-election vigilance ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly elections scheduled for November 20, 2024. Sukheja claimed he was en route to deposit the cash at a bank when intercepted during a nakabandi operation. This occurs amidst heightened scrutiny and concerns regarding electoral integrity, with opposition parties questioning the fairness of the Election Commission's actions. Earlier, Pune Rural Police had seized ₹5 crore from a vehicle at a separate checkpoint, further raising alarms over potential election-related misconduct. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has criticized the Election Commission's neutrality, suggesting the ruling party may be shielded from scrutiny. These incidents highlight ongoing apprehensions about transparency as the elections approach, emphasizing the need for oversight in the electoral process and potential implications for the upcoming voting.