Kamal Ghorui
SIVAGANGA: A mob snatched Rs 13.44 lakh in cash from an election flying squad, which had seized it moments ago from Sivaganga MP Karti Chidambaram’s office during a raid on Monday.Police have arrested a suspect, identified as Palaniyappan. Acting on a tip-off that cash was stored for distribution to voters, the squad raided Karti’s office premises in Karaikudi in Sivaganga district and recovered two bags and a cloth bag stuffed with currency.Things took a chaotic turn during verification near the officials’ vehicle. Palaniyappan insisted officials count the cash, which totalled Rs 13.44 lakh, and the counting was videographed. Meanwhile, around 30 unidentified people gathered as officials prepared to secure the cash in their vehicle, and the mob suddenly snatched the bags and disappeared.Pre-empting a chase, an unidentified person took the key of the vehicle, leaving the election officials stranded.After being informed, Devakottai sub-collector Ayush Venkat Vats and Karaikudi assistant superintendent of police Ashish Puniya rushed to the spot. Following a complaint by an official, police registered a case and later arrested Palaniyappan. A manhunt has been launched to identify other members of the mob and recover the robbed cash.
