Rs.2 lakh cash,ganja, liquor bottles seized during Lokayukta’s surprise raid on Excise offices

Pramesh S Jain & Binish Thomas (Sub-Editor)

A series of raids conducted by Lokayukta and team at 62 offices across the excise department found around 450 grams of Ganja,several bottles of liquor and unaccounted cash of Rs.2 lakh,which have been seized along with several filed for verification, .

The search was launched after the warrants were issued by the Lokayukta Justice BS Patil,who himself inspected the excise office in Byatarayanapura.

Upa Lokayukta Justice B Veerappa inspected the excise office in Yeshwanthpur.

“Around 250 grams of ganja was found in the Byatarayanapura office and around 200 grams in the Yeshwanthpur office,Notices have been issued to the officials concerned seeking explanation.

The raids were carried based on the 132 complaints received accusing large scale irregularities and corruption among the excise officials.

Some of the complaints even provided pen drive as documentary evidence,a senior official,said.These complaints of maladministration is under probe at different stages of investigation.

Several applications filed at the excise offices were also pending approval,which the officials no no explanation and indicate that large scale corruption,the official said .

“During the raid several filed have been seized and the officials have been given time for explanation about the seizure of liquor and drugs.

There were no cases registered no mention of seizure or any documents about the money,ganja and liquor seized .

We have asked the police wing of the Lokayukta to initiate investigation based on their report,necessary action will be taken,Justice Patil,said .