By Mewati Sitaram
In a significant operation, alert election officials of the 172 Anushakti Nagar Vidhan Sabha constituency flying squad intercepted a tempo at Vashi Naka, Mumbai. Upon opening the container, the team discovered a large quantity of illegal silver being transported to the city.
The investigation revealed 280 blocks of silver bars, each weighing 30 kilograms, with a total market value estimated at around Rs. 80 crores. The tempo, registered under number MH03-43 CE 3116, was arriving from Tamil Nadu. The driver, Mohammad Amjad Ansari (42), is currently in police custody for further questioning.
After conducting a panchnama (official record), the seized silver was handed over to the Income Tax Department for further investigation. A police complaint has been filed at Anushakti Nagar Police Station to initiate a thorough inquiry into the matter.
Shivaji Davbhat, the Returning Officer for the 172 Anushakti Nagar constituency, stated, “As per the directives of the Election Commission of India, we have formed multiple flying squads, deployed at strategic locations. Our teams have been on high alert, conducting regular checks of suspicious vehicles. During a routine search at Vashi Naka, we intercepted the vehicle carrying silver.”
He further explained, “According to the Election Commission’s guidelines, any cash or valuable assets exceeding Rs. 10 lakhs must be reported to the Income Tax Department. In compliance with these rules, we immediately notified the IT department, and the seized silver has been handed over to them for further action. The IT department will proceed as per the Income Tax Act and will keep us informed about the next steps.”
This seizure highlights the vigilance of the election teams and their dedication to ensuring fair and transparent elections by actively monitoring the illegal transportation of assets during the electoral process.
It is worth noting that the 172 Anushakti Nagar constituency is the largest in Mumbai, both geographically and in terms of electoral importance. This marks the first and largest seizure of high-value assets in the 2024 Vidhan Sabha elections.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
