Navi Mumbai: Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s (NMMC) Static Surveillance Team (SST), set up for vigilance as per ECI guidelines during the model code of conduct for the NMMC general election 2025-2026, seized ‘unaccounted’ cash of Rs 16.16 lakh from a Mercedes Benz at a check post near APMC market on Friday afternoon, writes George Mendonca.NMMC’s assistant municipal commissioner (AMC) Sagar More informed that Rs 16.16 lakh in cash was found in a plastic bag in the Benz car’s boot during checking at a check post near APMC market around 12.30 pm. The cash was found in the possession of Piyush Bhanushali, who claimed that he is a spice trader at APMC market in Turbhe. A video surveillance team (VST) was also deployed for checking to record evidence of the unaccounted cash seizure.AMC More said, “Bhanushali provided some documents of the source of the cash, which will be ascertained by the Mumbai IT department officials, who were informed about the huge cash seizure.”NMMC’s deputy municipal commissioner (DMC), the nodal officer for the code of conduct, said, “As per ECI rules, during the model code of conduct, individuals found carrying cash of more than Rs 50,000 without supporting documents have to be seized. Accordingly, the concerned IT department authority was informed about the seizure of unaccounted cash of more than Rs 10 lakhs for further investigation.”As per the presser by the NMMC PRO department, in order to ensure strict compliance with the model code of conduct for NMMC elections, as per the order of the State Election Commission (SEC), NMMC set up 27 SSTs in the NMMC jurisdiction at the entrance to the city as well as at 9 prime junctions, in 3 shifts for 24×7 strict vigilance, to check vehicles and prevent misuse of cash and other illegal activities for electoral influence.
