Pune Polls Cash Seizure Sparks Transparency Concerns

Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, police seized Rs 22.90 lakh in Pune from a trader. The discovery has raised transparency concerns among opposition leaders regarding electoral fairness and neutrality, particularly amid similar recent incidents in the region.

As the Maharashtra assembly elections approach, a recent cash seizure in Pune has intensified scrutiny over election transparency. A Static Surveillance Team (SST) confiscated Rs 22.90 lakh from a local trader, identified as Baktumal Sukheja, in Pune's Hadapsar area. The incident took place during a routine nakabandi operation on October 22, leading to an alert to the Income Tax department for a deeper investigation.

Sukheja, a resident of Pune district's Daund Tahseel, claimed the cash was intended for deposit at a market yard bank. The SST intercepted him at Manjaru Phata on Solapur Road, marking the second significant cash haul in the region following a Rs 5 crore seizure at Khed Shivapur toll earlier that week by Pune Rural Police.

The incident has prompted the Maha Vikas Agadhi (MVA) opposition to express concern over the impartiality of the Election Commission. Aaditya Thackeray emphasized the need for transparency ahead of the polls, slated for November 20, with counting on November 23—a critical event following past electoral outcomes.

(With inputs from agencies.)