“Punjab Sarkar” car seized with cash, liquor.
The Punjab government has provided clarification regarding the recently seized vehicle, stating that it had a fake registration plate. The vehicle, which had raised suspicions, was found to differ from the model registered in official records. Authorities have confirmed that the seized car was not the same as the one listed in the registration, reinforcing their claims that the car’s registration had been falsified. The investigation into the matter is ongoing, with the authorities aiming to trace the origin of the fake registration and any other fraudulent activities related to the vehicle in question.
In a significant development in election-bound Delhi, a car with a “Punjab government” sticker was seized by Delhi Police, with a large amount of cash, liquor bottles, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) pamphlets found inside. The discovery led to swift political reactions, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) attacking the Aam Aadmi Party, prompting a clarification from the Punjab government regarding the vehicle’s registration.
The seizure occurred outside Punjab Bhawan on Copernicus Marg, a prominent location in the national capital. According to the Delhi Police, when the vehicle was searched, they found wads of cash amounting to Rs 8 lakh, several bottles of liquor bearing Punjab government stamps, and a collection of pamphlets from the Aam Aadmi Party. These items raised immediate suspicions, especially since the cash recovery exceeded the permissible limit under the model code of conduct that is in force ahead of the Delhi elections. As per the code, individuals are not allowed to carry more than Rs 50,000 in cash during the election period.
The vehicle’s location outside Punjab Bhawan and its apparent connection to the Punjab government added to the controversy. In the context of ongoing elections, any association with government-related symbols or materials could carry significant implications, leading to intense scrutiny. The situation quickly escalated when the BJP, a prominent opposition party, seized upon the incident to launch an attack on the AAP, accusing it of involvement in illegal activities and electoral malpractices.
BJP leaders expressed shock at the scale of the seizure, with Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva commenting that, in his 35 years of public service, he could not recall such a massive recovery of cash and liquor linked to any political party. Sachdeva further stated that while the BJP had always criticized Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for alleged corruption within the Delhi government, the latest incident made it clear that Kejriwal’s influence had tainted not only the administration of Delhi but also its political system. Sachdeva said, his comments emphasizing the gravity of the situation for the AAP ahead of the elections.
In response to the political firestorm, the Punjab government issued an official statement to clarify its position on the vehicle and its contents. The government confirmed that the car in question did indeed bear a “Punjab government” sticker but clarified that the registration details did not match the actual vehicle involved in the seizure. According to the statement, the car was registered in the name of Maj. Anubhav Shivpuri, who had been posted at the Army Dental College in Pathankot about three years ago. Maj. Shivpuri, as stated by the Punjab government, is a permanent resident of Khadki in Maharashtra. The government further emphasized that the vehicle was not connected to any official state operations and that its involvement in the incident was entirely due to fraudulent actions, including the use of a fake registration plate.
The Punjab government’s clarification, however, did little to quell the political controversy, as the opposition continued to demand accountability from the AAP and the Delhi government. The involvement of AAP pamphlets in the vehicle added fuel to the fire, leading to calls for an investigation into possible electoral malpractice. The BJP’s attacks focused not only on the illegal items found in the car but also on the apparent misuse of state resources, with the party alleging that the AAP might be using state machinery to influence the election process.
In the wake of the incident, the Delhi Police registered a case at the Tilak Marg police station, and investigations were initiated to trace the origins of the cash and liquor, as well as to uncover any potential connections to illegal electioneering. Authorities also planned to examine the authenticity of the AAP pamphlets found in the car to determine whether there was a broader pattern of misuse for political purposes.
This incident has brought the issue of electoral integrity to the forefront of discussions in the run-up to the Delhi elections. As the case progresses, it is likely to remain a point of contention between the AAP and its political rivals, especially as both parties gear up for the electoral battle. The authorities will need to carefully investigate the matter to ensure transparency and uphold the sanctity of the electoral process. The case has also raised broader questions about the role of government resources in influencing elections and the need for stringent enforcement of the model code of conduct during such critical periods.