A bus passenger from Karnataka was taken into custody on Wednesday morning after officials seized ₹62.5 lakh in cash from him during vehicle inspections on National Highway 544 at Mudikkode.

The man, identified as Uday Shankar, was travelling in a Karnataka State RTC bus when he was intercepted by the excise squad conducting checks across Kerala ahead of the Assembly elections. The cash was found packed inside a bag during the inspection.

Officials said the checking drive was part of Statewide surveillance to prevent illegal cash movement in the run-up to the polls.

According to initial statements, the passenger claimed that the money was proceeds from the sale of property in Karnataka and that he was on his way to Kochi to purchase another property.

Authorities have taken him into custody and further verification is under way to ascertain the source and intended use of the cash.