Mandya Congress activist lodges Lokayukta Police complaint against Excise officials

Mandya: Congress activist, Puneeth, from Chandopura village in Maddur taluk, has filed a complaint with the Lokayukta SP, accusing Excise Department District Officer Ravi Shankar and Inspector Shivashankar of demanding a bribe of Rs. 20 lakh to process a bar and restaurant licence.

Puneeth has submitted audio and video evidence to support his allegations, urging the Police to register a case and begin an investigation  into the matter.

This case highlights broader allegations of corruption within the Excise Department under Congress Minister R.B. Thimmapur. Many bar and restaurant owners across the State have raised similar complaints, accusing officials of demanding exorbitant bribes to process licenses.

These grievances have even led to threats by bar owners to shut down their establishments statewide in protest. After personal assurances by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that liquor outlet owners will not be harassed, the protest was called off.

Case details

Puneeth applied for a CL-7 licence online in his mother’s name to establish a bar and restaurant near Chandopura. However, the application was rejected by Excise Department officials, who cited the absence of necessary permissions. Following the rejection, Puneeth personally visited the Excise Department office to address the issue.

During this visit, Inspector Shivashankar allegedly demanded a bribe, explaining that the payment, referred to as ‘mamool,’ was essential to secure the approval of higher officials.

Initially, a sum of Rs. 40 lakh was demanded, but after negotiations, the amount was reduced to Rs. 20 lakh. Puneeth said in his complaint that when he refused to pay the bribe, his application was outrightly rejected by  the department.

Frustrated by the alleged corruption, Puneeth approached the Lokayukta SP and filed a formal complaint against Ravi Shankar and Shivashankar.

In his complaint, he detailed the bribe demands and the subsequent rejection of his application. Along with the complaint, he submitted both audio and video recordings as evidence of the demands made by the officials. Puneeth has urged the Lokayukta Police to conduct an investigation and initiate legal action against the officials.