Karnataka Lokayukta gives clean chit to Renukacharya

The Lokayukta police on Saturday gave a clean chit to excise minister MP Renukacharya in a case pertaining to alleged violation of excise rules.

Justice NK Sudhindra Rao of the Lokayukta special court had earlier directed the Lokayukta police to hold an inquiry against minister Renukacharya.

The inquiry was based on the statement made by deputy commissioner of excise (Bangalore) LN Mohan Kumar who alleged that of the 24 bottles of foreign liquors seized at Indiranagar excise office on March 22, four belonged to Renukacharya, who had asked Mohan to keep the bottles under the latter's personal supervision.

After taking into account Kumar's complaint, Justice Rao had directed the Lokayukta police inspector to investigate the matter and submit a report as per Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, on March 31. On March 26, Kumar was granted a conditional bail.

The Lokayukta police filed a memo stating that there was no evidence against minister Renukacharya, as alleged by Kumar. Lokayukta inspector Narsimha Murthy filed a memo before the court stating that there was no evidence against Renukacharya for the alleged violation of excise rules as claimed by Kumar. Justice Rao has adjourned the case to April 9.