Political parties in the state are using hawala operators to transport black money for the upcoming bypolls. A code is given to the sender by the hawala operator, who passes it on to the recipient over phone. The hawala operator in Hyderabad also gives the code to his counterparts in the districts. The money is handed over once the recipient gives the code to the hawala operator in the district. Sources said that the code usually contains details of the amount.
Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwar Lal said, “The poll date is approaching and we have asked the police to step up vigil.” So far, Rs 34 crore in cash and gold worth Rs 8 crore have been recovered in raids in 18 Assembly constituencies and the Nellore Lok Sabha constituency. In the 2009 General elections, the totally money seized was Rs 38 crore while it has already reached Rs 42 crore for these byelections.
Mr Bhanwar Lal, meanwhile, has alerted the West Godavari police on receipt of a complaint that money was being sent from Hyderabad to Narsapur for use in the elections. State police sources said they had intensified checks by setting up posts at all entry and exit points. A senior official at state police headquarters said, “Hawala money is concealed in petrol tanks of vehicles, under the mats and also in the upholstery. It’s very difficult to detect.”