Cash-for-Votes Bust: 4 Nabbed With Rs 2.41 Lakh in Azamgarh
Four men were arrested in Azamgarh with Rs 2.41 lakh and campaign materials during the teacher constituency election.
In a major crackdown on electoral malpractice, a flying squad in Azamgarh intercepted four individuals attempting to distribute cash and campaign materials ahead of the biennial Gorakhpur-Faizabad division teacher constituency election-2026. The operation, conducted under the strict guidelines of the Model Code of Conduct, led to the recovery of over two lakh rupees and a cache of election-related documents.
The Ambush at Daulatpur Bridge
The operation was spearheaded by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Sadar) Avinash Gautam. The flying squad team set up a checkpoint at the Daulatpur bridge within the jurisdiction of the Sidhari police station. During the surveillance, officials flagged a white Kia Seltos car, bearing the registration number UP54AX2379.
Upon stopping the vehicle, the team conducted a thorough search. On the middle seat of the car, officers discovered five white bags. These bags contained a variety of materials designed to influence the election, including:
- Voter lists of teachers from multiple schools.
- Sample ballot papers.
- Handbills and campaign literature.
- Voter slips.
Cash Recovery and Confessions
Beyond the printed materials, the authorities recovered a total of Rs 2,41,500 in cash. During the interrogation on the spot, the occupants of the vehicle reportedly admitted that the money, which was organized in envelopes, was intended for distribution to voters.
In addition to the cash and campaign gear, the police seized the Kia Seltos vehicle and four mobile phones belonging to the suspects.
Who Were the Arrested?
The police have identified the four individuals involved in the operation. Two of the suspects, Subhash Singh and Shivgovind Singh, are residents of Karmi in the Chiraiyakot police station area of Mau district. The other two, Rajesh Kumar Pandey and Shivmohan Singh, hail from Sidhari town and Sameda, respectively, both located within the Sidhari police station area of Azamgarh.
Legal Action and Charges
The Sidhari police have registered a formal case (Crime Number 431/2026) against the four men. They face serious charges under the following laws:
- Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Section 123(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which deals with corrupt practices during elections.
Legal proceedings are currently underway as authorities continue to investigate the source of the funds and the candidates who may have been benefiting from this distribution attempt.