The Income Tax Department Has Seized Unexplained Cash Ahead of Upcoming Assembly Elections In Five States

Leading up to the Assembly elections in five States, the income tax department has seized more unexplained cash compared to previous elections in those States, according to CBDT on November 15.

As per the sources, before the State Assembly and Lok Sabha elections, enforcement agencies, including the Income Tax department, increased surveillance and collected information about unexplained cash and jewelry through toll-free numbers.

In the current election-bound States, we have seized more cash than what was confiscated during the corresponding period in the State Assembly elections or Lok Sabha 2019.

Moreover, the pre-election monitoring of unexplained cash and surveillance is rigorous, and the entire operation is coordinated at the level of the Election Commission and State election authority.

In the run-up to the upcoming elections in Rajasthan and other states, there has been a significant surge in the total confiscation of illegal items such as cash, liquor, drugs, gold, and silver. Compared to Rs. 322 crore in 2021 and Rs. 347 crore in 2022, the seizures have spiked to Rs. 1,021 crore as of October 2023.

The states of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Mizoram are heading to the polls in November. In July, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for tax officers to follow the Election Commission's directives on curbing freebies, illicit cash, liquor, and drugs to influence voters. The SoP urged tax officers to monitor the distribution of coupon-based or free fuel or cash aimed at enticing potential voters.

Additionally, GST and Customs officials were instructed to establish "flying squads and static surveillance teams" to conduct effective road and transit checks of vehicles and verify warehouses, aiming to curb illegal and prohibited activities.

Also Read: An Income Tax Department Employee Lost Rs. 98500 In An Online Fraudster