Patna, Sep 13 (IANS): Over Rs.50 lakh in cash was seized and five people, including former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi's son Parween, were detained on Sunday during routine checking in poll-bound Bihar, officials said.

Parween was detained in Jehanabad district, about 50 km from here.

"Parween Manjhi was detained after Rs.4.65 lakh was found in his vehicle during ongoing checking for unaccounted cash," a district police official said.

Police said he failed to give a satisfactory reply about the purpose for carrying the cash and source of it during the grilling.

Manjhi is the president of Hindustan Awami Morcha, a member of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

The Income Tax department along with police have intensified crackdown on use of black money and unaccounted cash as the model code of conduct is in force in Bihar for the upcoming assembly polls.

The five-phase assembly election will begin on October 12 and counting of votes will take place on November 8.

In another incident, two Gujarati youth were detained with Rs.25 lakh in cash at Agamkuan in Patna. They were identified as Chandresh Patel and Dinesh Choudhary.

Patel and Choudhary claimed the cash was for their contract business.

Patna Senior Superintendent of Police Vikash Vaibhab said police have interrogated them to know the purpose of carrying money and its source.

Similarly, police seized Rs.10.65 lakh in cash near Shahpur in Patna and detained one man.

In Muzaffarpur district, a man was detained with Rs.11 lakh in cash.