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    IT raids on BJP functionaries in Uttara Kannada; cash seized

    Synopsis

    Acting on a tip off, election officials intercepted a vehicle carrying cash which was passing through Sirsi in Uttara Kannada.

    8Getty Images
    Officials said that the cash was neatly packed in small bundles and is suspected to be meant for distribution among voters.
    By Akshatha Rao

    BENGALURU: Karnataka election authorities and Income Tax officials in a joint operation have seized cash worth nearly Rs 1 crore from the house and vehicle of the BJP functionaries in Uttara Kannada district. Union Minister Ananth Kumar Hegde is seeking re-election from the constituency in the polls to be held in the third phase, on April 23.

    Sources in the election machinery said that the flying squad first recovered Rs 10 lakh from a car in Sirsi and subsequently a huge amount was recovered from a godown in a farmhouse close to the residence of the union minister.

    Acting on a tip off, election officials intercepted a vehicle carrying cash which was passing through Sirsi in Uttara Kannada. The interrogation of the driver led officials to the house of one Ramakant Hegde, local BJP leader who is also the taluk panchayat president. Cash worth Rs 70 lakh stashed in a suitcase was recovered from the farm house of Ramakant Hegde. Subsequently, I-T team also raided BJP’s district General Secretary Krishnarama Devadiga (alias Krishna Esale).

    Officials said that the cash was neatly packed in small bundles and is suspected to be meant for distribution among voters. “Investigation is under progress and we are probing if the money was was being used to woo voters,” a senior election official told ET.

    It is learnt that the I-T officials have continued the raid on houses of other BJP functionaries too. Earlier during the day, I-T searches were made on the houses of contractors and businessmen in Bengaluru, Mandya and Hassan, who allegedly have close links with the JD(S) leaders.


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