Lakhs of cash, foreign currencies and other valuables were seized in two separate incidents in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu. The flying squad teams and static surveillance teams have nabbed the persons and have given the accused seven days time to account for valuables.
Ramanthapuram: Flying squad teams and static surveillance teams seized foreign currencies, laptops, wrist watches and unaccounted cash in two different operations on Sunday. The teams were set up to implement the model code of conduct for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
The teams were led by Rajagopal, Block Development Officer (BDO), Nainarkoil and were conducting a vehicle check.
They intercepted a car and seized unaccounted cash worth Rs 1 lakh. They also seized Singapore dollars amounting to Rs 25,49,002 and Malaysian Ringgit amounting to Rs 1,68,474.
Officials said the unaccounted cash and foreign currencies were seized from one P Parimanan, a Malaysian Indian. Enquiries revealed that he has come to India on a tourist visa to attend a marriage function at Panaikulam near Devipattinam.
In another operation, teams led by Rajendran, BDO, Thiruvadanai, intercepted a car at CK Mangalam check post near Thiruvadanai and seized 14 laptops, 160 wrist watches and cash of Rs 2 lakh from one S Mohamed Yusuf, who told the officials that he had procured the laptops and watches for sale.
Displaying the seized cash and other items to reporters here, collector K Veera Raghava Rao, who is the District Election Officer (DEO), said the seized cash and items have been handed over to the treasury office.
The two persons could take back the cash and other items after producing necessary proof and documents within seven days, failing which, cases would be registered against them, Rao said.
With this, the FSTs and SSTs have seized cash and items for total value of Rs 43.27 lakh, he said.
Referring to the seizure of foreign currencies, he said the custom and immigration officials have been informed of necessary action. The office of DEO has also formed four video surveillance teams, a video viewing team and an accounting team to prevent violation of model code of conduct.
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