Pune: Maharashtra Police Seize Valuables Worth Rs 19.13 Crore Ahead of Elections in Kolhapur Range
Kolhapur, 15th November 2024: The Maharashtra Police have seized valuables worth Rs 19.13 crore across the Kolhapur Range as of 10th November, according to Special Inspector General of Police, Sunil Phulari. The confiscated items include Rs 6.64 crore in cash, illegal liquor valued at Rs 2.83 crore, 113 kg of ganja worth Rs 22 lakh, gutkha worth Rs 1.87 crore, 9 kg of gold valued at Rs 7.5 crore, and 60 kg of silver.
The seizures were made following the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct on 15th October, ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Elections. The police had instructed Superintendents of Police in the Kolhapur Range—covering Pune Rural, Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, and Solapur Rural—to crack down on illegal trade, unaccounted cash, weapons, drugs, liquor, and other prohibited items. In areas like Kolhapur, Sangli, and Solapur Rural, which share borders with Karnataka, 36 checkpoints have been established to prevent cross-border smuggling.
Special IG Phulari personally conducted surprise inspections at several interstate checkpoints, including Kagal, Shivnakwadi, Mhaisal in Sangli, and Katral in Solapur Rural. These operations were carried out in collaboration with the regional transport, GST, excise, forest, and anti-narcotics departments. Offenders are being pursued with non-bailable warrants, and combing operations and area parades are being held in high-risk areas to maintain law and order.
To ensure a secure election process, preventive measures have been implemented, including the arrest of two individuals under the Maharashtra Prevention of Dangerous Activities (MPDA) Act of 1981 and seven others under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) of 1999. Police have seized 23 illegal pistols and 36 cartridges, and 25 cases of Model Code of Conduct violations have been registered. Special IG Phulari also urged the public to participate actively in the upcoming elections and exercise their right to vote.
