Delhi Election: Cops Find Rs 47 Lakh In Cash With Scrap Dealer—Know The MCC Limit

The Delhi Police seized Rs 47 lakh in cash from a car during a routine check in the Sangam Vihar area of South Delhi, officials reported on Tuesday. The car was driven by 24-year-old Vaseem Malik, a self-identified scrap dealer from Sangam Vihar. Malik was stopped by the Static Surveillance Team (SST).

The seizure occurred just days before the highly anticipated Assembly elections, scheduled for February 5, with vote counting set for February 8.

During the check, the SST stopped the vehicle at the T-point near Mangal Bazar Road, Sangam Vihar, and discovered a bag containing Rs 47 lakh in cash. Malik, who failed to provide documentation for the funds, had his money confiscated, with further legal actions being initiated.

Officials are investigating the origin of the cash, with the seizure falling under the purview of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) imposed by the Election Commission (EC) ahead of the elections. The EC has set strict cash limits during this period, making the Delhi Police's action particularly significant.

EC's Guidelines for Carrying Cash During MCC:

• Authorised persons must carry supporting documents when transporting Indian currency or foreign exchange.
• Movements of cash over Rs 50,000 must be accompanied by supporting documents; otherwise, the cash may be seized.
• Any unexplained cash exceeding Rs 50,000 will be confiscated. Seizures over Rs 10 lakh are referred to the Income Tax Department.
• Cash movement from the office or branch of an Authorized Person (AP) must be recorded in the AP's books of accounts.
• If the destination of the funds is the AP's office or branch, it must also be recorded on the same day.
• The transfer of foreign currency between branches of the same AP should be treated as a stock transfer, not a sale, to prevent double counting.