November 9, 2024: In a major seizure ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections, police have intercepted a van carrying over ₹3.70 crore in cash in Palghar district. The authorities acted on a tip-off and halted the vehicle in Wada, a coastal town in the district, on Friday, in the midst of the Model Code of Conduct being enforced for the November 20 polls.

According to Police Inspector Datta Kindre, the police's vigilance team and flying squad received intelligence about the movement of large sums of money in the region. Upon intercepting the van, they discovered ₹3,70,50,000 in cash.

The driver and the security personnel accompanying the vehicle could not provide any valid documentation justifying the transportation of such a large amount of money, as required under election laws. When questioned, they claimed the cash was being transported from a company based in Navi Mumbai to Vikramgad in Palghar.

Both the driver and security personnel have been detained for further questioning. The seizure has raised concerns about possible violations of the Election Code, as well as potential attempts to influence the electoral process through the illegal distribution of money.

Authorities have alerted both the Income Tax Department and election officials, who will carry out further investigations into the source and intended destination of the funds.

The incident comes as Maharashtra heads into its Assembly elections, with political parties and their supporters increasingly under scrutiny for adherence to the Code of Conduct, which aims to prevent illegal practices such as vote-buying and the misuse of money power.