Lokayukta cops to probe Karnataka excise min’s spirited move

Excise minister MP Renukacharya is in the dock as the Lokayukta special court directed Lokayukta police to conduct a probe into alleged violation of excise rules and submit the report by March 31.
 
The inquiry was directed based on the statement made by the deputy commissioner of excise (Bangalore) LN Mohan Kumar who, when caught during a raid, said that four of the 24 bottles of foreign liquor seized at the excise office in Indiranagar on March 22 were kept there according to the minister’s instructions.

The judge noted the statement made by Kumar against the minister into consideration and treated it as a complaint.

When the bail petition of Kumar came up for hearing on Monday, Justice Rao granted him bail on the condition that he should be present every first Monday of the month before the Lokayukta police. He should furnish Rs1 lakh as surety and should not tamper with the prosecution witnesses.