City Crime Branch in Mangaluru intercepts car with ₹3.23 lakh in cash, driver fails to show documents. Probe underway amid rising scrutiny ahead of local elections.
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Exclusive: ₹3.23 Lakh Seized in Mangaluru as CCB Cracks Down on Unexplained Cash Flow Ahead of Elections
By Shylesh Kotyan | Mangaluru | June 2, 2025
In a swift late-night operation on Monday, the City Crime Branch (CCB) in Mangaluru intercepted a vehicle carrying ₹3.23 lakh in unaccounted cash at Car Street, a bustling area known for its religious landmarks and dense foot traffic. The seizure has sparked speculation about possible election-time financial irregularities and renewed attention on unregulated cash movement across coastal Karnataka.
Mangaluru CCB Seizes ₹3.23 Lakh in Unaccounted Cash Amid Civic Poll Vigil
The Seizure: Routine Check, Startling Discovery
According to CCB officials, the operation was part of a routine vehicle inspection drive conducted in light of heightened security measures across Dakshina Kannada district. Around 9:15 PM, a white sedan bearing a Karnataka registration plate was flagged down near the Rathabeedi junction in Car Street.
Upon inspection, police discovered bundles of ₹500 and ₹200 notes hidden inside the dashboard compartment. The driver, identified as C.M. Hajeem, a resident of Ammunje in Bantwal taluk, allegedly failed to produce documentation or a valid source explanation for the funds.
“He claimed his uncle had asked him to collect the cash from an associate, but there were no supporting documents, receipts, or traceable account details,” a senior officer at the scene confirmed to this reporter.
The cash was immediately seized under Section 102 of the CrPC and handed over to the Election Flying Squad for verification and further action.
Official Response: “We Are Following Protocol”
Commissioner of Police Anupam Agarwal, while addressing media queries, stated, “With the model code of conduct in place ahead of the upcoming civic polls, we have intensified vehicle checks. No person can transport more than ₹50,000 in cash without documentary proof. This seizure is part of our ongoing crackdown.”
A preliminary inquiry has been launched to determine whether the cash was part of a hawala transaction, election-related inducement, or simply an instance of poor documentation. CCB sources say they have not ruled out political connections.
The Context: Car Street’s Unlikely Spotlight
Car Street, known for the historic Sri Venkatramana Temple and the annual “Mangaluru Rathotsava,” is rarely associated with financial scandals. But its strategic position — near the central market, banking lanes, and key transport routes — makes it a transit point for goods and, occasionally, illicit cash transfers.
This incident adds to a growing list of unaccounted money seizures in Mangaluru in the last two years, particularly during high-stakes political cycles.
In February 2024, over ₹18 lakh in undeclared cash was seized from a courier agency in Kankanady, suspected to be linked to real estate lobbying. A similar case from 2023 in Suratkal was linked to sand mining cartel payouts.
Experts Weigh In: Why Cash is Still King
Despite the government’s digital push, experts point to systemic gaps in cash surveillance and documentation enforcement.
“Cash-based transactions are still rampant in Tier-2 cities like Mangaluru because of weak institutional monitoring and community-level trust-based economies,” said Prof. Ravi Nayak, a forensic accounting expert at NITK.
The Election Commission’s guidelines permit transportation of up to ₹50,000 without formal paperwork. Beyond that, the burden of proof lies on the transporter. “People often assume they can bypass these rules if it's for family business or religious donations — but that doesn’t hold in law,” Prof. Nayak added.
📈 Political Ripple Effects?
While no political party has been named in this instance, the timing — just weeks before municipal elections — has not gone unnoticed. Local Congress and BJP units have both denied involvement, but rival factions have begun circulating the news to score political points on social media.
A political analyst from Bengaluru noted, “This isn’t about ₹3.23 lakh. It’s about the narrative of clean versus corrupt politics. Even a small incident like this can be twisted into a major PR weapon during campaign season.”
What Happens Next?
The seized amount will now be evaluated by the District Election Officer and Income Tax Department for further tracing. If legitimate ownership is proven, the amount may be released. However, failure to prove legality within 30 days could result in permanent confiscation and prosecution.
Meanwhile, C.M. Hajeem has not been arrested but is under formal questioning, and his mobile records and financial links are being scrutinized.
Conclusion: More Than Just a Seizure
Monday night’s ₹3.23 lakh seizure may appear small in the larger landscape of financial crime, but in a city like Mangaluru — increasingly caught between tradition and political flux — it reflects deeper issues.
From undocumented cash flows to potential electoral manipulation, the incident raises a critical question: Are we truly moving toward financial transparency, or simply reshuffling the players in an opaque system?
As authorities dig deeper, one thing remains certain — money may be silent, but its movement speaks volumes.
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