In a significant operation coinciding with the Maharashtra assembly elections, police seized a staggering 10,080 kilograms of silver from a truck in Dhule district. The discovery was made on Wednesday, the day polling took place across the state for all 288 assembly constituencies. According to an official statement, the truck was intercepted during routine checks aimed at ensuring compliance with the Election Commission’s stringent guidelines for free and fair voting.
The silver haul, valued at several crores, raises questions about its intended purpose. Authorities suspect it could be linked to election-related malpractices such as influencing voters, though no definitive link has been established yet.
The seizure occurred around 6 am on Wednesday during a routine check of a truck heading towards Nagpur in the Thalner police station area, according to Dattatray Karale, Special Inspector General of Police, Nashik.
The police have informed poll expenditure observers and the Income Tax Department about the incident. Preliminary investigations suggest the silver belongs to a bank, the official stated, adding that further action will follow upon verification.
Since October 15, state and central enforcement agencies have seized assets worth ₹706.98 crore, including illegal cash, liquor, narcotics, and precious metals, election officials reported on Wednesday.
With inputs from PTI