The Chhattisgarh Police seized Rs 11.50 lakh in cash from a vehicle belonging to a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate in the Korba district on Thursday, a day before the state’s second phase of the Assembly elections.
The police said that former MLA Ram Dayal Uikey, the BJP nominee from the Pali-Tanakhar seat in Korba, was present in the vehicle when the cash was seized, PTI reported.
“Some local villagers intercepted Uikey’s vehicle near Jhunkidi village under the Pasan Police Station area and informed the police around 1 am,” said Korba Superintendent of Police Jitendra Shukla.
Uikey failed to produce supporting documents, he said.
Officials said on Thursday that they have seized unaccounted cash, illicit liquor and other items worth Rs 73.90 crore till Wednesday since the Model Code of Conduct came into force in the state on October 9. They said that Rs 20.15 crore in cash has been seized so far.
Pali-Tanakhar is among the 70 out of 90 Assembly seats in the state that is going to polls today.
The first phase of elections in 20 seats was held on November 7, with nearly 78% voter turnout.
