ED Alleges Bribery Syndicate in Karnataka Excise Department After Searches
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday alleged that officials of the Karnataka excise department were operating a syndicate to collect bribes. The statement came shortly after the agency conducted searches at 14 premises across the state linked to senior excise officials.
The searches were based on a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Karnataka Lokayukta, the state anti-corruption body, alleging illegal gratification in the issuance of excise licences. The ED is investigating the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The properties searched belonged to excise officials Jagdish Nayak, K M Thammanna, and Y D Manjunath, as well as their families and associates. The ED also claimed that excise officers had obtained liquor licences illegally in the names of their family members.
Manjunath is the son of former Ballari MP Y Devendrappa and brother-in-law of Karnataka Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarkiholi. The ED did not suggest any wrongdoing by the minister, and the investigation is directed at the officials named.
This is a developing story. The ED is expected to file a detailed report after analysing documents seized during the searches.
