Rs. 9 lakh seized from Sarathkumar’s vehicle

Election officials on Saturday seized Rs. 9 lakh cash from the car of actor-politician R. Sarathkumar, who is contesting the May 16, 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from Tiruchendur constituency in Tuticorin district.

Mr. Sarathkumar, chief of All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi, was found travelling with the cash in violation of election rules, police said. Mr. Sarathkumar, the lone candidate of the party, is contesting on the AIADMK symbol.

The flying squad led by Special Tahsidar P. Vallikannu made the seizure while on a vehicle check at Nallur Vilakku near Tiruchendur. Police said the cash has been deposited in the treasury.

Though the election officials have seized more than Rs. 80 crore since the model code of conduct came into effect last month, this is for the first time a prominent politician has been found carrying unaccounted cash.