During the Bihar Assembly elections, the Election Commission's Flying Squad raided the local office of a political party in Gopalganj's Bhore constituency. Officers seized 1.87 lakh rupees in cash from the party office premises. The raid was conducted after the flying squad received confidential information about cash being stored at the office. The team was led by Circle Officer and flying squad magistrate Anubhav Kumar Rai. Officers discovered the money kept inside a cupboard at the office and immediately confiscated it. Election officials have raised concerns about such a large amount of cash being stored during the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct. The party leadership was issued a notice requiring them to explain the source of the money and its intended use. Investigators are examining whether the funds violated election conduct rules. The party strongly protested the action, calling it politically motivated harassment. District Secretary Indrajit Chaurasia held a press conference describing the raid as government-backed targeting. He stated the confiscated amount belonged to the party's account and had been withdrawn from Punjab National Bank just one day earlier. Party officials claim the money was collected through donations and they have documentary proof. They allege the raid was conducted at the instruction of a local minister to deliberately trouble them. The party insists the seized amount was meant for legitimate organizational work and election-related expenses, not any illegal activity. They accuse authorities of selective action while ignoring spending by other political parties.
Flying Squad Seizes Cash from Party Office
The Election Commission's flying squad team raided a political party office in Bhore assembly constituency of Gopalganj district during the Bihar election period. Acting on confidential information about cash storage, the team searched the premises under the leadership of CO and magistrate Anubhav Kumar Rai. Officers found 1.87 lakh rupees in cash stored inside a cupboard at the office. The entire amount was immediately seized by the team. Election officials explained that keeping such a large sum of cash during the Model Code of Conduct period raises suspicion about possible violations. The authorities are concerned about potential misuse of funds for election purposes. A formal notice has been issued to the party president demanding clarification about the source of this money and what it was intended for. The case is currently under investigation to determine whether election rules were violated. Officials want to ensure the confiscated amount was not being used to influence voters or breach conduct guidelines.
Party Claims Money Was Legitimate Donation
District Secretary Indrajit Chaurasia strongly defended the party, stating the seized cash was entirely legitimate. He explained that the 1.87 lakh rupees belonged to the party's official bank account and had been withdrawn from Punjab National Bank just one day before the raid. The money was collected through proper donations, and the party possesses documentary evidence to prove this, he claimed. Chaurasia emphasized that these funds were meant exclusively for organizational activities and legitimate election-related expenses. He dismissed any suggestion that the money was intended for illegal purposes or voter inducement. The party maintains complete transparency in its financial dealings and insists all transactions follow proper procedures. Party officials are prepared to provide full documentation showing the source and intended use of the funds. They argue that standard organizational work requires maintaining some cash for various activities, especially during election periods when rapid expenses arise for meetings, travel, and campaign materials.
Allegations of Political Harassment
The party has strongly condemned the raid as politically motivated targeting. In his press conference, Chaurasia described the action as government-backed harassment designed to trouble the party. He specifically alleged that the raid was conducted at the direction of a local minister with the intention of deliberately creating problems. Party leaders accuse the administration of selective enforcement, questioning why similar scrutiny is not applied to other political parties' spending. They claim this represents political vendetta rather than genuine enforcement of election rules. The party argues it is being unfairly singled out while violations by other parties are ignored. Leaders describe the timing and manner of the raid as suspicious, suggesting it was planned to disrupt their election activities and damage their reputation. They assert that legitimate political work is being portrayed as misconduct to harass them. The party views this as an attempt to intimidate them during the crucial election period and create obstacles in their campaign activities.
Investigation Continues Under Election Rules
The Election Commission's flying squad is continuing its investigation into the seized cash to verify compliance with the Model Code of Conduct. Officials are examining all aspects of the case, including the source of funds, withdrawal documentation, and intended use. The party has been given the opportunity to respond to the notice with complete details and supporting documents. Authorities want to confirm that no election rules were violated and that the money was not being used for any activities that could influence voters illegally. The investigation will review bank statements, donation records, and party accounts to establish the legitimacy of the funds. Officials stress they are simply following standard procedures required during election periods when large cash amounts are discovered. The flying squad's responsibility includes preventing any misuse of money that could affect free and fair elections. The final determination will depend on the party's response to the notice and the evidence they provide. Until the investigation concludes, the seized amount remains in official custody.
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