Chennai: A significant announcement has been issued in Tamil Nadu regarding the steps citizens must take to reclaim cash seized by election Flying Squads. Individuals can retrieve their seized cash, goods, or jewellery only if they submit the appropriate supporting documents. If proper justification cannot be provided in the absence of such evidence, the seized funds will be forwarded to the Income Tax Department for further investigation.
Cash limit and seizure rules
Assembly elections are scheduled to take place in Tamil Nadu on April 23. The Model Code of Conduct came into effect immediately upon the announcement of the election dates. Consequently, individuals are permitted to carry a maximum of only ₹50,000 in cash. If one carries an amount exceeding this limit, relevant supporting documents must be submitted. Failure to do so will result in the seizure of the cash by the election Flying Squads.
During ongoing vehicle inspections across various districts of Tamil Nadu, substantial amounts of cash being transported in violation of election regulations are being confiscated. In the Madurai and Trichy regions alone, unaccounted cash totalling ₹18 lakh has been seized. Additionally, 46 kilograms of gold bars were confiscated in the Madhavaram area of Chennai. Over the past few days, thousands of citizens across Tamil Nadu have been intercepted by election Flying Squads while carrying cash or jewellery.
District grievance redressal committee
Election officials have released a detailed announcement explaining how to reclaim cash seized by the election Flying Squads. A District-level Grievance Redressal Committee has been constituted in every district to facilitate the release of cash and other items seized during inspections conducted by Flying Squads and Static Surveillance Teams. To prevent inconvenience to the public and to address their grievances, a District Grievance Redressal Committee has been established, comprising district-level officials such as the Project Director of the Rural Development Agency, the Nodal Officer for Expenditure Monitoring, and the District Treasury Officer.
Members of the public may personally approach the office of the District Grievance Redressal Committee to seek the release of cash or other items that were seized during inspections due to the absence of proper supporting documents.
Required documents for cash transportation
When transporting cash exceeding ₹50,000, it is mandatory to carry at least one of the following documents: a bank withdrawal receipt, a GST receipt, a wedding invitation if the cash is intended for wedding expenses, or a property agreement deed if the cash relates to a property transaction.
Reclaiming cash for medical expenses
If cash being transported for medical expenses is seized by authorities, there is no need to panic; it can be legally retrieved. To reclaim the cash, supporting evidence must be submitted immediately. The likelihood of retrieving the cash is significantly higher if one possesses relevant documents such as the hospital admission slip, doctor’s prescription, scan or diagnostic reports, the patient’s ID proof, the accompanying person’s ID proof, and a written explanation detailing the specific purpose for which the cash was withdrawn.
Timeline and refund process
During the inquiry conducted within 24 to 72 hours of the seizure, if the submitted documents are found to be in order, an order for the release of the cash may be issued. Once approval is granted, the seized cash will be refunded through the District Treasury or the Collector’s Office.