Online Gifts Of Jewellery & Drugs Have Replaced Cash To Influence Voters, Says SIT In Cuttack

Cuttack: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money has revealed that gold jewellery and other assets besides drugs have replaced cash in influencing voters during the election in the country.

Justice (retired) Arijit Pasayat, vice-chairman of Supreme Court-appointed SIT, said this to the media on Monday after chairing its last meeting in Odisha’s Cuttack. Senior officers of CBI, Income Tax and Vigilance departments attended the meeting.

He said drugs and narcotic substances have taken the place of alcohol and cash used by vested interest groups to win the support of the voters. “Seizure of huge quantity of drugs and narcotics during the elections in 5 states recently signifies shift in strategy of the elements to influence the election process,” he added.

On use of black money during the election, Justice Pasayat said cash is no more the influencing factor. “With advancement of technology, it (cash) has been replaced by online gifts of jewellery of gold and silver and even household assets,” he said.

Besides, it has come to light that the educational institutions were being used for impacting the voters through the staff working there, he added.

The SIT will submit its ninth interim report on black money to the Supreme Court.