While there are reports of cash shortage in some parts of the country, cash seems to be flowing in poll bound Karnataka.
- As part of enhanced alertness in the wake of elections scheduled on the 12th of May 2018, the Investigation Wing in Karnataka Goa has stepped up its surveillance and monitoring activities.
- Though the election process is just beginning, the Investigation Wing of the Income Tax department has already seized cash of Rs. 4.13 Crores and Gold Jewellery of 4.52 Kgs valued at Rs. 1.32 Crores.
- The interesting fact in these seizures is majority of the cash is in the denomination of Rs. 2000 and Rs. 500. Out of the total cash seized cash Rs. 4.13 Crores an amount of Rs. 4.03 crores in these higher denominations. When the people are finding it difficult to withdraw the money from the banks/ATMs seizure of these high denominations is raising eyebrows. Among the cash seizures, the Bangalore city tops the list with the figure of Rs. 2.47 Crores followed by the Bellary Rs. 55 Lakhs
- A high level of alertness is being maintained in airports and railway stations. A person carrying Rs 16.5 Lakhs was intercepted at on one of the airports. The source of the cash could not be explained by him. Follow up action was taken in Mumbai and cash of Rs 37 Lakhs were found and seized from the Mumbai premises. Thus, a total seizure of unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 53.50 Lakhs was made in the case.
- A contractor in one of the districts was covered on the basis of reliable information. It was found that he had made payments to another person who in turn had withdrawn cash from the amount transferred. The cash withdrawn of Rs 55 lakhs was seized and the contractor also admitted to concealment of Rs 16 crore.
- In another case, household articles worth Rs 9.51 crore intended for distribution was found in a warehouse near Mysore. After careful investigation, it has been established that this was meant for distribution.The concerned DEO has been alerted to ensure that these items are not actually distributed during the election process
- In another case, cash of almost Rs 50 lakhs was seized from a private person.
- The Income tax department has set up 24×7 control room in Bangalore to receive election related complaints from general public and other agencies of Karnataka. It has also formed Strike teams with statutory powers in all Districts to act upon any information received. The department is in to intelligence gathering at various places of public transport and its Air Intelligence Units are keeping close watch in all the airports in the state of Karnataka and also in the neighbouring state of Goa.
- The Investigation Wing has also gathered details of all Contract payments made in the last quarter of the completed Financial year and making a comparison with previous years for identifying the abnormal cases. It is also co-relating all the bank transactions, cash withdrawal with the intelligence in its position.
