Central agencies crack down on illegal election funding; Tight surveillance and monitoring implemented

KOCHI: Central agencies have intervened to curb illegal money inflows for election campaigning and vote rigging. Income Tax Department, ED and NIA are acting upon the directives of the Election Commission.

They will monitor black money, hawala transactions, undocumented funds, significant bank transactions, and transportation of valuables, including gold. Banks have been instructed to provide daily reports on large transactions.

In Kerala and Lakshadweep, 20 Lok Sabha constituencies are under surveillance by 50 officials from the Directorate of Investigation of the Income Tax Department, with an additional 100 appointed by the Principal Commissioner. A control room has been set up in Kochi, and district squads and an intelligence wing are operational. Additional Director R. Rajesh has been appointed as the Nodal Officer and the public can also provide information.

Customs assistance will be enlisted to prevent cash and gold smuggling for election purposes via airports. Special intelligence units have been tasked by Deb Jyotidas, Director General of the Income Tax Investigation Division, for this purpose.

ED will monitor digital transactions and the income and expenses of parties, leaders and candidates, addressing suspicious transactions and forfeiting seized amounts.

Routes of black money include border districts, airports, hawala transactions, online transactions, gold, and disguised as gifts. Individuals can hold up to half a lakh rupees without documentation, provided they prove the source and necessity. Sales and purchases above one lakh rupees should be documented, and information on suspicious transactions can be confidentially reported, with informants being rewarded if black money is caught.

Income Tax Control Room can be reached at toll-free number 1800 425 3173 or WhatsApp number 8714936111. The Kodakara Fund theft during the last assembly elections has not been investigated by the income tax department, as they only investigate directly seized money or information provided by other agencies, according to Deb Jyotidas, Director General of the Income Tax Investigation Division.