Ranchi Police raids educational institutions over alleged election funds; No money found

Ranchi Police launched a series of raids at prominent educational institutions in the city, including Sarla Birla School, Sarla Birla University, and Usha Martin University. The police operation was based on credible intelligence suggesting that large sums of money were being stored within these institutions, potentially aimed at influencing the upcoming Jharkhand state assembly elections. Despite the extensive searches conducted across various parts of the campuses, including classrooms, offices, and storage areas, no cash was found during the operation.

The raids were carried out systematically, with police teams carefully checking all administrative and academic areas, including desks, cabinets, and filing systems, for any signs of election-related financial misconduct. The operation began early in the morning, around 8 a.m., and continued throughout the day. To prevent any interference or exit of individuals, the campuses were sealed off, and entry was prohibited for the duration of the searches. In addition to physical searches, police examined several documents to uncover any financial records or transactions related to the elections.

This raid follows similar operations earlier in the month. On November 3, Ranchi Police had raided other educational institutions, including YBN University and GD Goenka School, where large amounts of money were recovered. At YBN University, ₹67 lakh was seized, while ₹1.14 crore was found at GD Goenka School. Both raids were also conducted early in the morning, with police ensuring that the campuses were locked down to prevent any movement of individuals during the searches. These earlier actions had raised alarms about the possible use of educational institutions for funneling money to influence the electoral process.

According to police sources, the raids are part of a broader effort to monitor financial activities leading up to the state elections, in line with the Election Commission's Model Code of Conduct. The Model Code requires all authorities, including the police, to closely track any movements of money, particularly in institutions where large sums of cash may be used to manipulate voters or influence election outcomes. Police officers involved in the operations have emphasized that they are under strict orders to monitor financial transactions and ensure transparency during the election period.

While the latest raids did not result in the discovery of any illegal funds, the police have reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their vigilance throughout the election cycle. Investigations into potential financial irregularities remain ongoing. Additionally, police have stated that they will continue to conduct thorough checks on institutions that may be involved in illicit financial transactions, ensuring that the election process remains free from corruption and undue influence.