Income Tax Department on Thursday said it has until now detected tax evasion to the tune of Rs 85 crore and seized Rs 28 crore unaccounted cash from individuals in the poll bound states. "The maximum cash -- Rs 17.5 crore was seized from Tamil Nadu and (Union Territory of) Puducherry," a CBDT officail said.

The Income Tax Department, which is working "shoulder to shoulder" with the Election Commission of India, seized about Rs 9 crore from different persons in West Bengal and Assam, while Rs 1.54 crore unaccounted money was recovered in Kerala.

Following the seizure of money, searches were conducted leading to disclosure of tax evasion of about Rs 85 crore, including Rs 60 crore from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and Rs 16 crore in West Bengal and Assam.

Cases have been registered against the tax evaders, the official said.

The seizures were made from people who could not explain the source and purpose of fund to the concerned authorities.

The I-T Department made the seizures amid suspicion that such funds could be misused for influencing voters, sources said.

The results of the Assembly elections in Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry are awaited while the polling is still going on in West Bengal in phases.

The CBDT has posted its officials in almost all the poll bound constituencies and at airports there. (PTI)