Congress worker lodges complaint against bribery by Excise department officials

MANDYA: A Congress worker has filed a complaint with the Lokayukta in Mandya, alleging that the Excise Department deputy commissioner, inspector and even the case worker are indulging in corruption, demanding money to issue a bar licence.

It is alleged that bar licences are issued only after paying lakhs of rupees in bribes. If money is not paid, the application is rejected even if the documents are correct.

Congress worker Puneeth has filed a complaint against Excise DC Ravishankar and Maddur Excise Inspector Shivashankar, along with audio and video evidence. He has alleged that the officials demanded a bribe for a CL 7 bar licence.

According to the complaint, he had applied online for a bar licence for permission to open a bar and restaurant in Maddur taluk in the name of his mother Lakshmamma. However, Puneeth has stated in his complaint to the Lokayukta that the officials have dismissed the application four times for not paying the bribe.

According to sources, it has been learned that history-sheeter Wilson Garden Naga has also been included in the video evidence.

Initially, when Puneeth did not agree to pay Rs 40 lakh, DC Ravi Shankar had demanded Rs 20 lakh with a 50 per cent discount. He said that he should also pay the subordinate officers and staff. If not, then Puneeth should consider him as his partner, as stated in the complaint.

Punith also alleged that a range inspector, Ravishankar, met him unofficially and took him in their vehicle to Channapatna to talk about the package (bribe) that he was supposed to pay them. “There is no value for the government’s e-services portal. The range inspector also took the name of Wilson Garden Naga. When they came to know about the complaint to Lokayukta, the application moved further, which was pending for one month”, Puneeth said.

Sources also said that he has recorded an audio of the bribe demand and given it to the Lokayukta.