Siliguri, 16th April: A major action was reported in Siliguri during naka checking ahead of the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, scheduled for April 23, when ₹10 lakh in cash was recovered from a taxi, creating a stir in the area.
According to information, the administration has intensified surveillance across the city with continuous naka checking and CCTV monitoring in view of the upcoming polls.
During one such operation, a taxi coming from the Salugara side towards the checkpost was intercepted.
During the search, officials recovered 10 bundles of ₹500 notes wrapped in blue plastic from a bag kept on the rear seat of the vehicle.
Each bundle contained ₹1 lakh, taking the total seizure to ₹10 lakh in cash.
The operation was carried out by the SST team of the Election Commission in the presence of police and central forces. The person present in the vehicle could not provide satisfactory documents or explanation regarding the cash.
Officials noted that under the Model Code of Conduct, carrying cash above ₹50,000 without valid documentation is restricted, and violations are subject to action by the Election Commission.
Preliminary assessment suggests that the seized amount could potentially have been used for election-related purposes. The individual concerned has been directed to appear before the monitoring team of the Jalpaiguri district administration with proper documents and clarification regarding the seized cash.
Following the recovery, security agencies have further intensified checks across the region, with surveillance being strengthened ahead of the elections.