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Funds Intended to Lure Voters During Assembly Election Campaign Seized; West Bengal Records Highest Seizure of ?319 Crore
Election Commission's Strict Action Leads to Seizure of ?650 Crore in Cash and Liquor Across Four States
New Delhi/Mumbai, April 6, 2026: Against the backdrop of the upcoming Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has undertaken a major crackdown. Across four states and one Union Territory, assets totaling over ?651 crore—comprising illicit cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and other inducements—have been seized.
According to the Election Commission, this operation has been underway since February 26, when the Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS) was activated. The seized items include cash worth ?53.2 crore, liquor worth ?79.3 crore (approximately 29.63 lakh liters), drugs worth ?230 crore, precious metals worth ?58 crore, and other freebies and inducements valued at ?231 crore.
State-wise seizure statistics:
West Bengal: ?319 crore (Highest)
Tamil Nadu: ?170 crore
Assam: ?97 crore
Kerala: ?58 crore
Puducherry: ?7 crore
The Election Commission clarified that this illicit cash and liquor were intended to be used to lure voters and influence the electoral process. Upon receiving complaints, 5,173 patrolling teams were deployed, with instructions to take action within 100 minutes.
This operation was conducted during the ongoing campaign period for the Assembly elections and by-elections taking place in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry. The Election Commission has adopted a firm stance to ensure free and fair elections, and a constant vigil is being maintained against such inducements.
Election Commission's Strict Action Leads to Seizure of ?650 Crore in Cash and Liquor Across Four States
New Delhi/Mumbai, April 6, 2026: Against the backdrop of the upcoming Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has undertaken a major crackdown. Across four states and one Union Territory, assets totaling over ?651 crore—comprising illicit cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and other inducements—have been seized.
According to the Election Commission, this operation has been underway since February 26, when the Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS) was activated. The seized items include cash worth ?53.2 crore, liquor worth ?79.3 crore (approximately 29.63 lakh liters), drugs worth ?230 crore, precious metals worth ?58 crore, and other freebies and inducements valued at ?231 crore.
State-wise seizure statistics:
West Bengal: ?319 crore (Highest)
Tamil Nadu: ?170 crore
Assam: ?97 crore
Kerala: ?58 crore
Puducherry: ?7 crore
The Election Commission clarified that this illicit cash and liquor were intended to be used to lure voters and influence the electoral process. Upon receiving complaints, 5,173 patrolling teams were deployed, with instructions to take action within 100 minutes.
This operation was conducted during the ongoing campaign period for the Assembly elections and by-elections taking place in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry. The Election Commission has adopted a firm stance to ensure free and fair elections, and a constant vigil is being maintained against such inducements.
New Delhi/Mumbai, April 6, 2026: Against the backdrop of the upcoming Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has undertaken a major crackdown. Across four states and one Union Territory, assets totaling over ?651 crore—comprising illicit cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and other inducements—have been seized.
According to the Election Commission, this operation has been underway since February 26, when the Electronic Seizure Management System (ESMS) was activated. The seized items include cash worth ?53.2 crore, liquor worth ?79.3 crore (approximately 29.63 lakh liters), drugs worth ?230 crore, precious metals worth ?58 crore, and other freebies and inducements valued at ?231 crore.
State-wise seizure statistics:
West Bengal: ?319 crore (Highest)
Tamil Nadu: ?170 crore
Assam: ?97 crore
Kerala: ?58 crore
Puducherry: ?7 crore
The Election Commission clarified that this illicit cash and liquor were intended to be used to lure voters and influence the electoral process. Upon receiving complaints, 5,173 patrolling teams were deployed, with instructions to take action within 100 minutes.
This operation was conducted during the ongoing campaign period for the Assembly elections and by-elections taking place in Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Puducherry. The Election Commission has adopted a firm stance to ensure free and fair elections, and a constant vigil is being maintained against such inducements.
