Lonikar caught on tape talking of cash

Aurangabad: Nine police units in the eight districts of Marathwada region have registered more than 110 cases of model code of conduct violation . The one registered against BJP minister Babanrao Lonikar in Jalna district has turned out to be the most prominent.

In a video, Lonikar can be heard saying: “Lotus (party symbol) has lead in all the hamlets...

I have given money in all the hamlets, due to which, I do not have any fear in this election . You all are with me, your blessings are with me. You all should come for the rally of the PM.”

Vijay Pawar, a resident of Mohadi tanda, had lodged a complaint with the election officials seeking clarification from Lonikar. When he failed to give a convincing response, election official Bhausaheb Jadhav issued directives for registration of an offence.

As per the figures accessed by TOI, in the Aurangabad range, Aurangabad rural has registered two cases of MCC violations and 223 cases of illicit liquor; similarly Jalna registered three cases of MCC violations and 180 cases of illicit liquor; Beed had two and 301 cases, respectively, and Osmanabad district registered two MCC violations and 121 cases of liquor seizure. In Nanded range, Nanded district registered one dozen cases of MCC violation and 326 cases of illicit liquor, Parbhani district registered 63 cases of MCC violation and 93 cases of illicit liquor, similarly Hingoli registered 19 and 123 cases, while Latur registered nine and 269 cases respectively.

Since the MCC came into effect, different squads of Static Surveillance Team (SST) in Aurangabad rural have seized valuables and cash to the tune of Rs 34 lakh. In Beed, cash of about Rs 8 lakhs was seized, while in Osmanabad, Rs 71 lakh was seized.

In Nanded range, in eight different actions carried out by SST, cash of over Rs 32 lakhs has been seized.

Officials with the Aurangabad city police said in four seizures, an amount of about Rs 37 lakh was seized.