Before RS poll,Rs 2.15 cr seized in Jharkhand

The Election Commission has put the counting of votes on hold until a probe is completed.

Hours before Rajya Sabha polls were held in Jharkhand today,Income-Tax authorities seized Rs 2.15 crore cash from an Innova reportedly owned by the brother of a candidate. The Election Commission has put the counting of votes on hold until a probe is completed.

The car belongs to Suresh Agarwal,the younger brother of R K Agarwal, Jharkhand I-T department director Ajay Kumar said. R K Agarwal is an Independent candidate backed by the JMM.

The cash came from Sumitra Shah,R K Agarwals son-in-law who runs the Jamshedpur-based Shah Sponge and Power Ltd,I-T Commissioner Ajit Srivastava told The Indian Express,quoting the statement of Sudhanshu Tripathi,an accountant in Shahs firm,who was in the Innova with driver Inder Ram.

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Tripathi has told investigators the cash was for one Khandelwal,who has a Ford showroom in Ranchi.

Agarwal said,I am ready to cooperate with investigators. But before they conclude investigations,I should not be treated like an offender. I am a bona fide citizen and a social activist.

Agarwal is one of five candidates for two RS seats in Jharkhand. The BJP voted for JMMs Sanjiv Kumar,making his victory certain. The other seat is up for grabs.