12 held in vote for money case

Mumbai: Two days ahead of polling at Palghar, the police arrested 12 persons in a votes-for-money case and seized Rs 1.85 lakh stashed in multiple envelopes from them. The officials at Dahanu police station said that the arrested persons are workers in a private company who were distributing money allegedly at the behest of a local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) officebearer.  The incident took place while the model code of conduct is in place ahead of the polls.

The police said that it had received information that a group of men were distributing money at Charoti in Palghar. The police said that the persons had multiple envelopes with Rs 1,500 in each of them that were being doled out to villagers asking them to vote for a particular party.

The police said that the election officer has already formed several teams including vigilance, flying squads and videography squads for keeping tabs on illegal activities during the polling period.

“On Friday, the Palghar police received the tip-off about 12 persons distributing money in Ranshet village. The accused persons were calling upon villagers and giving them money stashed envelopes asking them to vote a particular candidate,” said an officer of Palghar police.

The election officers were informed about the same and rushed to the spot along with Dahanu police station personnel and detained all the suspects. The accused were checked when the envelopes filled with money were found from them.

The police said that the accused have named a BJP officebearer who will also be questioned. The claims made by the accused persons are being verified.

A non-cognisable complaint as per provisions of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Public Service Act has been registered against the accused and further probe is underway. Further action will be taken accordingly, officials said.