Siliguri, 17 April (H.S.): In a major pre-election crackdown, authorities seized ₹10 lakh in cash from a taxi during naka checking in Siliguri, just a week before the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections.

According to officials, security has been tightened across North Bengal, including Siliguri, in view of the April 23 polling. Continuous naka checking and CCTV surveillance are being carried out across the city.

Late last night, a suspicious taxi coming from Salugara towards a checkpost was intercepted. During the search, officials recovered a bag from the rear seat containing ten bundles of ₹500 notes. Each bundle amounted to ₹1 lakh, taking the total to ₹10 lakh.

The operation was conducted by the Election Commission’s Static Surveillance Team (SST) in the presence of police and central forces. When asked to provide valid documents and explain the source and purpose of the cash, the person in the vehicle failed to give a satisfactory response.

Notably, under the Model Code of Conduct, carrying cash exceeding ₹50,000 without valid documentation is a violation and invites strict action from the Election Commission.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the money could have been intended to influence the electoral process. The individual concerned has been directed to appear before the monitoring team of the Jalpaiguri district administration and provide necessary documents and clarification regarding the cash.

Following the seizure, police and SST teams have further intensified surveillance across the region to ensure free and fair elections.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey