TN polls: Containers with Rs 570 crore brought to Coimbatore

COIMBATORE: The three trucks containing Rs 570 crore cash, seized by election department officials near Tirupur on May 14, was today moved to SBI's main branch here, following a request by the Income Tax department.

The three containers with the cash had been kept in the custody of the District Collector at the premises of the Collectorate in Tirupur amid tight security since the vehicles were detained by static surveillance squad of the election department.

The three trucks, accompanied by three cars, did not heed to a signal by EC officials to stop at a check post, following which they gave chase and detained them in the wee hours on May 14.

The Income Tax department had given a letter to district collector (Tirupur) to transfer the vehicle to Coimbatore in the bank chest to execute search warrants.

Amid speculation whether the seized money belonged to any political party as there were large cash seizures in the run up to the polls, SBI had said the money belonged to it and that the cash was being transferred to Vishakhapatnam branches from Coimbatore Main Branch, to meet the shortage there.

After verification of the documents, the containers were brought to the SBI Main Branch here this morning.

On arrival, Election Observer Jyoti Kailash and Income Tax Department Assistant Commissioner Rani Kanchana took possession of the containers and directed counting of the money kept in over 150 wooden boxes, official sources said.