LS Polls: BJP furious as Police seizes Rs 8 Cr withdrawn cash

Hyderabad: Getting caught red-handed with Rs 8 crore in cash ahead of Lok Sabha polls turned controversial after BJP’s withdrawn money from an Indian
Bank Branch was seized by Telangana Police on Monday.

Despite being at fault, the saffron party blamed the Telangana police of high-handedness and accused the KCR government of undemocratic rule in the state, TOI reports.

“The police broke windowpanes of the car and took the money as if they were criminals. They even forcibly barged into the strong room of the bank, where the withdrawn money was kept for safety reasons, and seized it. This undemocratic act by the police was done at the behest of their bosses in the government,” claimed BJP’s official spokesperson Krishnasagar Rao.

“We have even shown the bank statement to police. It only shows the overenthusiasm of police. We have not done anything illegal or anything overriding the Election Commission guidelines,” he added.

The Telangana Police in their defense clearly stated the task force officials are mandated to keep a strict watch on huge cash withdrawals across city banks on Monday due to April 5-7 bank closure.

The Task force officials acted on a tip off and intercepted a Hyundai Verna car (AP 10 BE 1234) at Himayathnagar junction and seized Rs 2 crore from two persons — T Pradeep Reddy and G Shankar.

Questioning the two revealed the cash was handed over to them by N Gopi, an office assistant at BJP state headquarters in Nampally, at Indian Bank’s Narayanguda branch and that he also has an additional Rs 6 crore cash at the bank.

The Police rushed to seize the remaining Rs 6 crore cash from Gopi and took four others into custody.

According to Bank officials, Gopi regularly carried out bank transactions on behalf of BJP office from the party’s account and on Monday withdrew the huge amount by furnishing a self-cheque signed by BJP state president K Laxman and treasurer Shanta Kumar.

“Bank statement was shown to us, but as per the rules we will hand over the cash to Income Tax department to verify its source and the details of the bank account from where it was withdrawn. We have followed the Election Commission guidelines,” additional DG (Law and Order) Jitender said.