Man Caught with Rs 14 Lakh Hidden in Shirt at Tamil Nadu-Kerala Border Ahead of Lok Sabha Elections

A man named Vino was caught carrying Rs 14 lakh hidden inside his shirt at the Walayar check post on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, just before the second phase of Lok Sabha elections voting in Kerala on April 26, 2024. The incident occurred when Kerala police officers searched a bus traveling from Coimbatore to Thrissur and discovered the cash hidden in secret compartments in Vino's clothing.

According to officials, Vino, who is from Ernakulam, was carrying the money without proper documentation, violating the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha Elections. As per the code, an individual is allowed to carry only Rs 50,000 and needs necessary paperwork for any amount exceeding the permitted limit. The officers seized the Rs 14.2 lakh and notified the Income Tax department for further investigation.

Why this matters: The seizure of a large sum of undocumented cash at a state border during an election period raises concerns about potential voter influence and highlights the importance of strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct. Incidents like this emphasize the need for vigilance and transparency to ensure free and fair elections.

The Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer had previously stated that flying squad officers would continue to operate at the state borders until the elections in Kerala and Karnataka were completed. These checks aim to prevent unauthorized cash transactions and other breaches of the election code of conduct.

In a statement, a Kerala police official said, "During the routine frisking at the Walayar check post, our officers found a passenger named Vino carrying bundles of cash hidden inside his shirt. As he could not provide proper documentation for the Rs 14.2 lakh, we seized the money and reported the incident to the Income Tax department for necessary action." The authorities are investigating the source of the money and its intended use.

Key Takeaways

• Man caught with Rs 14 lakh hidden in clothing at Kerala-TN border before elections
• Cash seized for lack of proper documentation, violating Model Code of Conduct
• Incident raises concerns about potential voter influence during elections
• Kerala police reported case to Income Tax dept for further investigation
• Authorities checking source and intended use of undocumented cash