Unaccounted for money totalling Rs 3 crore has been seized in the city since the Lok Sabha election dates were announced last Sunday, the income tax department has said.

The cash was seized from businessmen who could not substantiate its ownership through valid documents, senior officials of the central agency’s investigation wing said.

Over 200 IT officials have split into small groups for vigil, officials said. Separate teams are keeping an eye on suspicious financial transactions in each of the 42 assembly constituencies across the state.

“We have set up a 24X7 control room at Aayakar Bhavan where anyone can share information about any suspicious transaction. We will keep the caller’s identity confidential,” said Asish Verma, principal director, income tax department, investigation wing.

Once unaccounted for money is seized, the IT department waits for the owner to claim the money. “If someone is able to establish with papers the source of the money, the owner will have to pay the income tax, which will be deducted from the seized money. The rest of the money will be returned. Else, the entire cash goes to the government treasury,” a senior IT official said.

Helpline

Anyone with information about unaccounted for money or suspicious transactions before the Lok Sabha polls can alert the IT department:

• 1800345544 (Toll-free)
• 6289702922/6289704146