Income Tax seized record Rs.1,100 crore in Cash and Jewellery in 2024 Lok Sabha Election:

Income Tax seized record Rs.1,100 crore in Cash and Jewellery in 2024 Lok Sabha Election The Income Tax (IT) department seized a record Rs.1,100 crore in cash and jewellery during the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, a significant 182% rise from the Rs.390 crore confiscated during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Tax officers seized Rs.1,100 crore in cash and jewellery within 45 days of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) being imposed by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The election watchdog had tasked central agencies with monitoring the movement of cash, liquor, freebies, drugs, jewellery, and other items that could influence voters or candidates, as well as establishing 24-hour control rooms in each state to effectively combat the illegal movement of cash and other items that could taint the electoral process. The IT department established control rooms in all major cities and villages to report illegal cash used in election campaigns and voter manipulation. The Income Tax Department has been rigorous in detecting and recovering unaccounted cash and valuables that could potentially influence voters during the seven-phase elections. Each state built 24x7 control rooms to prevent politicians from using illegal cash in elections. The Income Tax Department reported that Delhi and Karnataka had the most seizures, with each state seizing Rs.200 crore in cash and jewellery. Tamil Nadu had the second-highest seizure of Rs.150 crore, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Odisha with over Rs.100 crore in cash and jewellery. The Election Commission of India (ECI) declared the start of polls for the 2024 Lok Sabha Election, and the MCC was implemented nationwide on March 16, with all central agencies on high alert to ensure adherence to guidelines, with a focus on monitoring the movement of cash, liquor, freebies, drugs, jewellery, and other items that could influence voters. The MCC applies to all political parties and candidates, with the goal of preventing unethical behavior and promoting ethical conduct. The ECI ordered the seizure of anyone having more than Rs.50,000 in cash or Rs.10,000 in new items without supporting documentation. "If the individual provided valid documents proving the items were unrelated to the elections, they were returned. However, cash over Rs.10 lakh was seized and forwarded to the Income Tax Department for further scrutiny," stated a state ECI official.