Bengaluru: With the Karnataka elections slated eights days later, seizures worth Rs 309 crore including liquor, drugs and cash have been made till now, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI). In 2018 assembly polls, the pre-poll seizures were worth Rs 83 crore, which was four times lesser compare to this time. Election will be held in Karnataka on May 10 and counting of votes will be held on May 13.
A total of Rs 111.11 crore in case and freebies worth Rs 22 crore were seized since announcement of the elections in March. This apart, a total of 20 lakh litres of liquor and drugs amounting to Rs 1,700 kg worth Rs 21 crore were also seized. Also, precious metals worth a total of Rs 80.53 crore were confiscated.
Agencies have seized 2.05 kg of narcotics worth Rs 1.02 crore in Bengaluru's Pulakeshi Nagar assembly constituency on Monday. Also, 2.67 kg of narcotics worth Rs 1.50 crore were seized in BTM Layout constituency and Rs 61.40 lakh cash in Bangalore City South constituency, the ECI said in a press release. The seizures also included 150 kg of gold worth Rs 76 crore and 645 kg of silver worth Rs 5 crore.
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The ECI said that 2,390 FIRs have been filed in connection with the seizures of drugs, cash, liquor and precious metals. A total of 69,825 weapons have been deposited and 18 weapons were seized while 20 arms licenses were cancelled. Also, 5,522 cases have been registered under the CrPC Act. ECI officials said that 15,456 non-bailable warrants were executed since announcement of election date.
