Drugs, liquor, missing registers: Lokayukta raids show ‘dark side’ of excise offices in Bengaluru

Bengaluru: A recent Lokayukta inspection of 62 excise offices in Bengaluru has uncovered significant irregularities.

In a statement released on Wednesday, officials reported that during their visit to the Koramangala excise office, a person fled with both the attendance and cash declaration registers. When questioned, the officers claimed they had no knowledge of the person involved.

Further investigation at the Koramangala office revealed that officials had hired a private person, who was being compensated Rs 20,000 a month via PhonePe.

At the Ramamurthy Nagar excise office, investigators discovered a bag containing ganja and several bottles of liquor. Officials stated that these items were related to pending cases, but no supporting documents were provided.

At the Chandapura office, it was found that one official had declared Rs 500, but was actually in possession of Rs 9,500 in cash. “The cash declaration register was edited to show Rs 9,500 instead of Rs 500,” the statement noted.

The Lokayukta also identified four excise inspectors who had hired four private individuals, with salaries ranging from Rs 18,000 to Rs 20,000 per month. A driver employed by them was also receiving Rs 18,000.

At the same office, officials uncovered approximately 100 tetra packs of alcohol.

At the Yelahanka-Gokula excise office, Lokayukta officials noted the excise inspector was absent despite signing the attendance register. “He was not available on call and arrived at the office around 5.15 pm,” the Lokayukta statement said.

Further discrepancies included poor maintenance of the movement register, along with a private person on the payroll of the excise inspector possessing Rs 9,500 in unaccounted cash.

At the Banashankari excise office, investigators found that private people were appointed as computer operators by the excise inspector, who was paying their salaries. “In their possession, officials found Rs 3,810, Rs 1,120 and Rs 5,000 without any explanation,” the Lokayukta said.

The inspection also revealed numerous other irregularities, including problems with the issuance of licences. “Prima facie, it was found that money taken from the public to complete work would be transferred to outside contract workers. A process of transferring from the public to their accounts was also found,” the statement said.