Police in Jalpaiguri seized over Rs 9 lakh in cash from two BJP leaders on Saturday night.
The police said the leaders could not furnish appropriate documents to validate the source of the money. “The cash has been seized under Section 102 of the CrPC as they failed to show us any valid document. Investigations have started,” an officer said.
Under Section 102 of the CrPC, any police officer may seize property that is alleged or suspected to have been stolen, or found under circumstances that create the suspicion of an offence.
Sources said that on Saturday night, the police intercepted a car in the Kranti Masjid area of Malbazar Assembly constituency where they set up a checkpoint ahead of the elections. Jalpaiguri votes on April 19, the first phase of polls.
Rakesh Nandi, the convener of the BJP in Malbazar, was in the car with Rs 7.75 lakh in cash.
On being quizzed, Nandi said he got the money from Dipa Banik, the Jalpaiguri district president of BJP’s Mahila Morcha, and that it would be used for election-related work.
Based on the information shared by him, the police searched Banik’s vehicle, and found Rs 1.30 lakh in cash. It was also seized.
Shyam Prasad, a district general secretary of the BJP, said they are trying to gather information. “We need to know more details before commenting on the issue,” he said.
Trinamul on the other hand, has accused the BJP of trying to misuse money to draw votes from people.
“In Jalpaiguri, with MCC enforced & just 5 days to go for the election, what are @BJP4Bengal local leaders up to? They were caught red-handed carrying a massive, undocumented Rs. 9.5 lakhs cash! Bangla-Birodhi (anti-Bengal) BJP, just so you know, you cannot buy out people’s mandate. On 4th June, your bishorjon (downfall) from Bengal is inevitable!,” said a post in Trinamul’s official X handle.
