West Bengal Leads with Record Rs 319 Crore in Election Seizures
Synopsis
A staggering Rs 319 crore in cash, liquor, and other inducements have been seized in West Bengal ahead of the elections, marking the highest recovery among the five election-bound states. This comprehensive crackdown aims to ensure fair electoral practices.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal tops with Rs 319 crore in seized inducements.
Majority of seizures include cash, liquor, and drugs.
ECI has deployed over 5,173 flying squads for monitoring.
Total seizures across five states exceed Rs 651.5 crore.
Efforts aim to ensure fair and transparent elections.
New Delhi, April 5 (NationPress) Election flying squads and enforcement agencies in West Bengal have confiscated a staggering Rs 319 crore worth of cash, liquor, and other inducements, according to an official report.
Among the five states and union territories gearing up for elections, West Bengal leads in the total seizure of inducements, amounting to Rs 150 crore in freebies, Rs 55 crore in liquor, Rs 39 crore in precious metals, and Rs 11 crore in cash, all suspected of being used to influence voters.
Law enforcement has also recovered drugs valued at Rs 65 crore in the state ahead of the two-phase elections scheduled for April 23 and 29, as stated by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Of the total 29.63 lakh litres of liquor seized across all five election-bound states/UTs, West Bengal is responsible for the highest amount, with 21.29 lakh litres accounted for, according to the ECI.
In Assam, the ECI reported that enforcement teams have recovered Rs 4 crore in cash in the lead-up to the elections.
In addition to cash, 6,84,627 litres of liquor worth Rs 20 crore has also been seized in Assam.
The ECI detailed that in Assam, substances worth Rs 56 crore, precious metals valued at Rs 4 crore, and other inducements worth Rs 13 crore have been confiscated as of April 5.
In Tamil Nadu, total seizures have reached Rs 170 crore, which includes Rs 67 crore in drugs, Rs 63 crore in other inducements, Rs 30 crore in cash, Rs 8 crore in precious metals, and Rs 2 crore in liquor.
Meanwhile, Kerala has seen a total recovery of Rs 58 crore in inducements, comprising Rs 41 crore in drugs, Rs 8 crore in cash, Rs 5 crore in other inducements, Rs 2 crore in liquor, and Rs 1 crore in precious metals.
In Puducherry, the total confiscated value stands at Rs 7 crore, including Rs 6 crore in precious metals, Rs 20 lakh in cash, Rs 30 lakh in liquor, and other inducements valued at Rs 1 lakh.
In total, enforcement agencies have seized illegal cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and inducements totaling over Rs 651.5 crore from the five election-bound states.
To ensure a violence-free, intimidation-free, and inducement-free election process, the ECI has mobilized 5,173 flying squads across various states and union territories, ensuring swift response to complaints within 100 minutes.
Additionally, more than 5,200 Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) have been deployed to establish surprise checkpoints at various locations, as reported by the ECI.
Point of View
The scope of seizures in West Bengal highlights the ongoing challenges and integrity issues surrounding electoral practices in India. The proactive measures by enforcement agencies reflect a commitment to ensuring a fair election process, showcasing the importance of vigilance in safeguarding democracy.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total amount seized in West Bengal?
A total of Rs 319 crore in cash, liquor, and other inducements have been seized in West Bengal.
What types of items have been seized?
The seized items include cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and various inducements.
When are the elections scheduled in West Bengal?
The elections in West Bengal are scheduled for April 23 and 29.
How many flying squads have been deployed?
The Election Commission has deployed 5,173 flying squads across the states.
What is the total value of seizures across all five states?
The total value of seizures from all five election-bound states exceeds Rs 651.5 crore.
