National Desk, 19th May: In a startling revelation amidst the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, authorities have seized inducements worth a staggering Rs 8,889 crore aimed at influencing voters, according to an announcement by the Election Commission on Saturday.
Leading the list of confiscated items, drugs accounted for 45 percent of the total seizures, with narcotics valued at approximately Rs 3,959 crore. The Election Commission emphasized the diverse nature of election influence, pointing out the roles of drugs, liquor, precious metals, freebies, and cash in swaying electoral outcomes.
Special focus has been placed on the seizure of narcotics and psychotropic substances, highlighting a worrying trend where states and Union Territories transition from being mere transit points to becoming consumption zones for drugs. This shift underscores the escalating drug menace across various regions.
A significant collaboration between the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad, the Narcotics Control Bureau, and the Indian Coast Guard has yielded substantial results, with three major drug seizures totaling Rs 892 crore over just three days, as reported by the Election Commission.
The detailed breakdown of the seized items is as follows:
- Cash: Rs 849.15 crore
- Liquor: Rs 814.85 crore
- Drugs: Rs 3,958.85 crore
- Precious metals: Rs 1,260.33 crore
Notably, besides Gujarat, substantial drug seizures have also been reported in Maharashtra and Delhi. On April 17, Noida police dismantled a drug factory in Greater Noida, seizing 26.7 kg of MDMA worth Rs 150 crore and arresting two foreign nationals involved in the operation.
The Election Commission’s revelation underscores the extensive measures being taken to combat electoral malpractices and maintain the integrity of the election process.