Mumbai, 8th November 2024: In a significant development ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, police in south Mumbai seized Rs 2.3 crore in cash and detained 12 individuals on Thursday night, officials reported on Friday.

Following a tip-off, a team from the Lokmanya Tilak Marg police station, in collaboration with election officials, intercepted the group. Upon searching the suspects, authorities found a large sum of cash, but the individuals could not provide any valid documentation or explanation for carrying such a hefty amount.

As the model code of conduct for the upcoming elections is in effect, surveillance teams, instructed by the Election Commission, are actively monitoring the transportation of potential election inducements, including cash, liquor, and other goods.

The seized cash has been handed over to the Income Tax department for further investigation.

The 288-seat Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with vote counting to take place on November 23. The current assembly’s term concludes on November 26.

In the previous 2019 elections, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance secured 161 seats, with BJP winning 105 and Shiv Sena 56. The Congress-NCP alliance won 98 seats, with the NCP taking 54 and Congress 44.