Jharkhand again: Cash found in ‘Cong’ vehicle

The police said the Tata Sumo from which Rs 61,000 was seized on Sunday had stickers,banners and posters of Congress candidate Sunil Sahay,brother of Union Minister for Tourism Subodh Kant Sahay. The police claimed that the money was meant to be used to influence voters. “As soon as we learnt that the money was coming to be distributed among the people,we intercepted the Sumo and recovered the cash,” said Sudama Choudhary,who is investigating the case.

Yogendra Singh,a retired employee of the Heavy Engineering Corporation Ltd who was in the vehicle at the time,was arrested for violating the model code of conduct and the Representation of the People’s Act,1951. He was later released on bail.

Sahay denied any link with the seized cash. Singh,the Congress incharge of Ratu block in Ranchi,seconded him.

“Eight months ago I had drawn this money from my Provident Fund account for some family purposes. It had nothing to do with the elections,” he said.

Meanwhile,preparations for the bypoll have been completed. “We have deployed security men in strength and also installed CCTVs at all booths,” said Deputy Commissioner K K Soan.

The bypoll was necessitated after the death of Gopal Sharan Nath Shahdeo of the Congress. In all,there are 29 candidates in the fray.