IT Department suspects use of ‘hawala’ network in money transportation

Bengaluru: With just over a couple of days left for the Assembly Polls in Kerala, the political parties are leaving no stone unturned to gain the voters’ confidence to ensure their victory in the polls.

With polling scheduled on Apr. 9, the authorities are suspecting a large amount of money being illegally transported from Karnataka to Kerala with Kerala Excise sleuths recovering Rs. 17.50 lakh cash from a person at Amaravila check-post in Thiruvananthapuram yesterday.

The cash bundles of Rs. 500 denomination was found in a bag during the routine check of a private bus travelling from Bengaluru towards Kazhakootam  in Thiruvananthapuram.

The Excise sleuths took one Narayanaswamy, 29, into custody. Sources said that on being questioned, Narayanaswamy told the officials that he was informed that a person would collect the money from him on reaching Kazahakootam.

However, he has not spilled the details about the person who handed him the cash or about the person who was to collect the money in Kazahakootam.

Excise Inspector Anil Kumar-led team, which seized the cash, has transferred the case to Income Tax (IT) Department for further investigation as no proper document was produced by the accused at the  time of seizure.

The IT officials have taken the custody of Narayanaswamy and are questioning him regarding the source of the cash and  other details.

The officials have also suspected the use of ‘hawala’ network to facilitate illegal                                           money transportation.

With seizure of cash at the check-post, the Kerala Police and Excise sleuths have intensified their vigil at the borders, especially on the inter-State buses and private vehicles.

The Opposition Parties in Kerala have expressed their concerns over the illegal transportation of money from Karnataka and have highlighted the issue with the Kerala Government.

News 14