15 March,2011 06:48 AM IST | | Imran Gowhar
Tipped off that a wine store on Brigade Road was adulterating reputed brands of liquor, officials on surprise check encounter mob sent to stop them from seizing samples
A gang assaulted two central excise officials inspecting a wine shop suspected of adulterating alcohol and selling it to the public. The excise department received a tip-off from a source stating that Prestige Wines on the posh Brigade Road was adulterating reputed liquor brands and selling it to unsuspecting customers.
Spurious stuff: During the check, the officials discovered that most of
the bottles with reputed labels were adulterated with cheap liquor.
Pic/Ramesh H S
Staff were also accused of selling liquor by the peg or loose, and since the location was in the posh area, most people did not suspect a thing, officials said. V Narayana and T N Nagraju along with an official driver were dispatched to conduct a surprise check at the wine store.
During the check, the officials discovered that most of the bottles with reputed labels were adulterated with cheap liquor, and therefore seized eight sample bottles for further testing. Overpowered While the officials were inside the store, a group of 20 men arrived in five vehicles and overpowered the officials. Before they could react, the goons assaulted them and fled after snatching the seized samples.
"We did not know what to do, since things happened very quickly," Narayana said. The officials immediately informed their seniors about the incident and later filed a complaint with the Ashok Nagar police on charges of obstructing government servants from discharging their duties, including assault.
Similar incident
It may be recalled that Excise Minister M P Renukacharya along with a team of officials was attacked by bootleggers in Karavi village in Belgaumu00a0-- about 500 km from Bangaloreu00a0-- while conducting a raid last month.
Renukacharya, accompanied by the police, excise department officials and a few media personnel went to the village after receiving information that large scale brewing of illicit liquor was going on in the area.
While the minister was unhurt, a cop was injured in the head in the stoning that followed. "Our people fired thrice in the air to disperse over 50 bootleggers who had gathered in the area and were pelting us with stones," said Renukacharya. A police inspector from Ashok Nagar police station who is investigating the case, said "We have identified the attacker and leader of the gang as Ramesh, and we are looking for him."
