Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 4: During the preliminary investigation, it has been found that several wine shops in the district illegally sold liquor during lockdown period by breaking open the lock sealed by the excise department. In all likelihood, a detailed report in this respect would be placed before the deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district shortly.

The district has 152 wine shops, 22 MSIL outlets and over 214 bars. There were claims that illegally, locks of some of the shops were forced open and liquor bottles were sold in violation of lockdown rules. The matter had also appeared in a section of the press. Taking note of this, deputy commissioner Sindhu B Rupesh, on last Friday, had ordered for an investigation by way of checking whether the stock as found at the time of locking the store was intact.

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The officials who began investigation from Saturday are learnt to have found discrepancy in the stock of liquor. The checking was done with video recording. Sources in excise department said that in some cases, over 30 cases of liquor have gone missing.

Deputy commissioner of excise Shylaja Kote, said that as per the instructions of the district deputy commissioner, checking of over 30 suspected shops was undertaken and some irregularities were found. She said that a detailed report would be submitted in a couple of days.

It is said that in some cases, officials who get information about sale of liquor illegally send lower level staff for checking. If it is proved, senior officials intervene and lay stress on settling issue through mutual discussions, it is said.

The fact that lockdown was lifted and liquor sale was permitted even as checking of liquor shops is in progress has created problems for the investigation. The people also feel that the mention of checking of only shops suspected of malpractices allows the officials to cover up cases.