Karnataka - Bangalore   

Excise inspector trapped, blames higher-ups

BANGALORE: The Lokayukta police on Wednesday caught an excise inspector while he was allegedly accepting Rs. 20,000 from a bar owner in the city.

Acting

But, the trapped excise inspector alleged that he was acting at the behest of some senior officials as well as a Minister.

Excise inspector Govindaraju was caught while he was allegedly accepting Rs. 20,000 as bribe from Ramaiah, who owns three bars in the vicinity of Vijayanagar, in the former's office in Nagarabhavi.

He had allegedly demanded Rs. 50,000, the Lokayukta police said.

Fine

According to a senior Lokayukta police official, Mr. Ramaiah was being harassed by the excise inspector with frequent imposition of fine.

When he asked for the reason, Govindaraju allegedly demanded Rs. 50,000.

Licence

Mr. Ramaiah was told that every bar owner had to pay money after renewal of bar licence.

On a complaint, the Lokayukta police officials trapped Govindaraju while he was allegedly accepting Rs. 20,000 as bribe.

Demand

While being questioned, Govindaraju told Lokayukta police that the demand was as per the directions of Deputy Commissioner (Excise-West) and the amount was going to the higher-ups in the department.

He had also revealed the names of a Minister, the Joint Commissioner, the Joint Commissioner of Excise Intelligence Bureau and two deputy superintendents of police in the Excise Department.

Evidence

“But there is no independent evidence for the claims made by Govindaraju,” the senior official said.

However, the Lokayukta police have summoned the Deputy Commissioner (Excise-West) to explain the allegations.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

High Court gives Indrajit Lankesh reprieve
Kannada book industry on an upswing
Infant taken away from hospital
Awarded
HPCL launches ‘gas saving' device
We need Maudany for locating accused: police
A ride back in time
A year of good music promised
Help for elders is a phone call away
17-month-old child abused
St. Mary's car sails past a sea of humanity
BBMP budget may be approved today
Gangster opens fire, thrashed by public
Traffic comes to a halt
48 shops demolished on Bazaar Street
New turn to Girish murder case
Excise inspector trapped, blames higher-ups
No takers for transgender quota in university

Copyright © 2010, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu