(a) the details of money and drugs seized in Punjab during the recently concluded State assembly elections; and
(b) the mode of disposing of the seized currency and drugs?
(a) the details of money and drugs seized in Punjab during the recently concluded State assembly elections; and
(b) the mode of disposing of the seized currency and drugs?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI P.P.CHAUDHARY)
(a): The Election Commission has informed that the following seizures have been made during General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Punjab, 2017:-
(i) Cash Seizure - Rs. 58.02 Crore
(ii) Drugs seized by Police Department & Narcotics Control Bureau - 2598 KG Drugs/ Narcotics (Heroin, Ganja, Capsules etc.), all worth Rs. 18.26 Crore (approx.).
(b): The Commission has further informed that the seizure made by the Flying Squads, Static Surveillance Teams, other Police Authorities and release thereof shall be dealt by the Committee formed during election in the District in terms of Commission’s Standing Operating Procedure. In cases of cash seizure involving amounts more than Rs. 10.00 Lakh, the Income Tax Department is required to be kept informed for further action under relevant provisions of Income Tax Act.
The Commission has directed to release the cash and articles seized during General Election to Punjab Legislative Assembly, 2017, where there is no link with any candidate/his or her agent/party worker, and where no FIR has been lodged or the matter has not been handed over to the Income Tax Department. In no case, any matter relating to seized cash/valuables shall be kept pending in malkhana or treasury etc. for more than 7 days after date of poll, unless any FIR/Complaint is filed.
As per the information supplied by the Narcotics Control Bureau, Punjab the modes of disposing of the seized drugs are as under:-
(i) Seized Heroin, Charas, Poppy straw, Ganja etc. are disposed off as per law, by incineration, after taking disposal order from the Hon’ble Court.
(ii) Seized opium is sent to Government Opium and Alkaloid factory after taking disposal order from the Hon’ble Court.
As per the information supplied by the State Police Department, Punjab the mode of disposing of the seized drugs are as under:-
Drugs:- The Drugs seized are case properties of various cases registered in different Police stations of Punjab and will be disposed off with the due permission of concerned judicial authorities after following the due procedure of law.