In a massive seizure ahead of the polls, the Flying Squad of the Election Commission (EC) has seized 1,425 kg of gold approximately valued at around Rs 1,000 crore from a truck in Tamil Nadu, an official said on Saturday.
The huge quantity of precious metal was seized at the Vandalur-Mijinur Outer Ring Road near Kundrathur after a truck and car were intercepted by EC Flying Squad officials.
While checking the truck, the gold was detected in boxes. Those moving in the car that was trailing the truck told officials that they had all the papers and the gold was being transported to a firm in Sriperumbudur.
However, the EC Flying Squad officials were not satisfied with the documents that were produced, and held back the truck as well as the car.
Both vehicles were taken to Sriperumbudur revenue office, and according to sources, Kancheepuram district revenue authorities and Income Tax officials have been trying to ascertain the exact value of the seized gold, initially estimated at around Rs 1,000 crore.
A senior Election Commission official told IANS that those in custody are being questioned to ascertain the origin of the gold and also the details of the recipient(s).
With the first phase of Lok Sabha elections on April 19 less than a week away in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the EC has stepped up the searches and also intensified checking of vehicles.
.jpg)
Former NIA officer who interrogated Headley welcomes Tahawwur Rana’s extradition
Loknath Behera, former senior officer of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and part of the team that interrogated David Coleman Headley -- the key conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks -- on Thursday expressed satisfaction over the successful extradition of Tahawwur Rana from the United States.
Tahawwur Rana extradition: Israel praises Modi govt for bringing terrorists to justice
Thanking the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for its persistence in bringing terrorists to justice, Israel on Thursday welcomed the extradition of 26/11 plotter Tahawwur Rana from the United States to India.
As Rana lands in India, 26/11 martyr Tukaram Omble's brother demands hanging of Tahawwur
On the day Tahawwur Rana, one of the co-conspirators in the Mumbai terror attacks was brought to India, Eknath Omble, the brother of Ashok Chakra awardee and 26/11 martyr Tukaram Omble, urged the central government to hang the terrorist and send a strong message to Pakistan.
India and UK reaffirm free trade agreement, support supply chains
Amid the changing world trade order, India and the UK have reaffirmed their commitment to furthering the bilateral relations between the two nations, including continuing negotiations at pace towards a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT).
Centre appoints special public prosecutor for 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case
The Central government has appointed Advocate Narender Mann as the Special Public Prosecutor for the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case hearing.
Bhagwan Mahavir's ideals give strength to countless people, says PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, saying Bhagwan Mahavir's ideals give strength to countless people worldwide.
Trump lowers levies on countries like India for not retaliating
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a lower rate of 10 per cent for 90 days in reciprocal tariffs for trading partner countries that have not retaliated with higher levies on American goods — such as India — and further hiked the levy on China to 125 per cent for hitting back.