Rajasthan Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta announced on Monday that authorities have seized drugs, liquor, precious metals, and cash totaling Rs 17 crore since the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct following the announcement of Lok Sabha polls on March 16. The information was disclosed in a report jointly issued by state police, the excise department, the narcotics department, and the income tax department.
According to the statement quoting the report, agencies have seized goods worth over Rs 115 crore in the state as of March 18. Since March 1, seizures include cash amounting to Rs 2.41 crore, drugs valued at Rs 51.56 crore, and liquor worth Rs 6.71 crore. The remainder of the Rs 115 crore constitutes the valuation of precious metals, predominantly gold, that were confiscated.
Jodhpur saw the highest seizure during this period, amounting to Rs 18.70 crore, the report highlighted.
Gupta noted that since the Model Code of Conduct was implemented, authorities have confiscated Rs 1.46 crore in cash, drugs worth around Rs 4.68 crore, and liquor valued at Rs 72 lakh.
Rajasthan is set to witness polling in its 25 Lok Sabha seats across two of the seven phases of the general elections, scheduled for April 19 and April 26.