By Tejas
Pune, October 25, 2024: Just days after police intercepted a private vehicle carrying Rs 5 crore in cash near the Khed Shivapur Toll Plaza, another significant cash seizure has taken place today. In a similar operation, the static surveillance team seized Rs 17.75 lakh from a car at the Urse Toll Plaza, within Shirgaon Police Station limits in Maval.
The police detained the car owner, identified as Piyush Jakhodiya, age 34, following the discovery. His vehicle, travelling from Khopoli to Pune, was stopped at the Urse Toll Plaza for inspection. During the investigation, Jakhodiya initially claimed he was a textile businessman and was going to Pune for Diwali shopping.
However, discrepancies in his explanation led authorities to confiscate the cash. Maval Tehsildar Vikram Deshmukh confirmed that the seized amount has since been handed over to the Income Tax Department for further investigation.
In a separate incident, Pune Police recovered gold worth Rs 138 crore during an election-related checkpoint operation in the Sahakar Nagar Police Station area. Deputy Commissioner of Police Smartana Patil reported the seizure and stated that both the Election Commission and the Income Tax Department have been notified of the incident.
This recent spate of cash interceptions has fuelled discussions about rising cash movements in the state as the Model Code of Conduct is enforced statewide.
