Election Commission todaysaid Rs 570 crore, seized

The Election Commission todaysaid Rs 570 crore, seized from three containers in TamilNadu two days ahead of assembly polls there, is "prima faciesuspect cash" as no agency or organisation has come forward toclaim it. All agencies, including the Income Tax Department, havebeen asked to ensure a proper investigation, an ElectionCommission official said here. "Prima facie it is suspect cash as no agency ororganisation has come forward to claim it," the officialsaid here, adding the poll panel is keeping a close watch onthe development. Electoral officials in Tamil Nadu today seized about Rs570 crore from three containers during checking in Tirupurdistrict, which the occupants of the vehicles claimed was forinter-bank money transfer. Officials said the personnel accompanying the containerstold them that they were transferring Rs 570 crore fromState Bank of India in Coimbatore to Vishakhapatnam branchesbut did not have all the necessary documents and efforts wereon to ascertain the veracity of their claim. The flying squad of the election department, along withparamilitary forces, seized the cash early this morning duringa routine vehicle check on Perumanallur-Kunnathur bypass. Polling for Tamil Nadu assembly election will take placeon May 16.