Cash haul at Vidhana Soudha raises fresh security concerns

Bengaluru : Even before the dust settles on a recent theft involving cash and gold ornaments at Vidhana Soudha, another incident involving a large sum of money has surfaced, triggering fresh concerns over security inside the state’s administrative hub.

In the latest case, police recovered ₹6 lakh in cash from a  youth who had arrived at Vidhana Soudha to meet Congress MLA Yashavantrao Gowda Patil. The  youth was intercepted at the Kengal Gate entrance during routine security checks on Wednesday.

According to police, the individual insisted on entering the premises despite being told that carrying such a large amount of cash inside was not permitted. His persistence raised suspicion, prompting authorities to detain him for questioning.

During a search of his bag, officials discovered ₹6 lakh in cash, leaving the  police taken aback. The  youth was immediately taken into custody and questioned at the office of Assistant Commissioner of Police Krishnayya.

During interrogation, the  youth claimed that he had come to meet MLA Yashavantrao Gowda Patil to obtain a letterhead. He further stated that he belonged to the MLA’s constituency and needed the document for official purposes. When questioned about the cash, he told police that the money was meant for the medical treatment of his uncle, who is reportedly hospitalised.

Despite his explanation, police are continuing their probe to verify the claims and ascertain whether there was any ulterior motive behind carrying such a large sum into a high-security  area.

The incident has once again brought the spotlight on security lapses at Vidhana Soudha. Notably, a similar case was reported in 2023 when over ₹10.5 lakh in cash was seized from an assistant engineer of the Public Works Department who was allegedly transporting the money through the west gate of the building. That case had sparked a major political controversy, leading to a war of words between the ruling government and the opposition.

With back-to-back incidents involving cash surfacing at the  vidhana soudha, questions are now being raised about the effectiveness of security protocols and surveillance mechanisms in place.

The latest episode involving the Indi constituency  youth has added to the growing list of suspicious incidents, and officials say further investigation is underway. The outcome of the probe is expected to determine whether the case is a mere coincidence or part of a larger pattern.