A corruption scandal has erupted in Karnataka’s Excise Department, with serious accusations implicating Excise Minister RB Thimmapura and his close associate, Jeevan Shetty. According to a complaint submitted to the Governor by an Excise Department officer, Shetty has allegedly collected large sums from liquor sellers and departmental officials to facilitate licenses, transfers, and promotions with the minister’s backing.
The Allegations Against Minister RB Thimmapura and Jeevan Shetty
Bar owners and Excise Department officials alike have claimed that Shetty, a long-time associate of Minister Thimmapura, allegedly demanded substantial bribes, allegedly with the minister’s knowledge. Shetty is accused of promising liquor licenses (CL-2) to bar owners in exchange for massive sums of money, yet reportedly failed to deliver. Instead, Shetty allegedly told those seeking refunds that he had already handed the bribes to the minister, implying that the funds were transferred up the chain of command.
A bar owner, Ramakrishna, claims he paid Rs 25 lakh to Shetty over two instalments but never received the promised CL-2 license. Ramakrishna alleges that Shetty defended his actions, stating that the Excise Minister had already been informed and was in on the deal.
Corruption Extends to Departmental Promotions and Transfers
It is not just liquor license seekers who were allegedly defrauded. Reports suggest that Shetty also collected large sums from Excise Department officials to secure promotions and desired postings within the department. Sources indicate that he collected money from four to five officers for the same post, creating a bidding war among officials desperate for career advancement. These transactions were allegedly done with the minister’s full awareness, further deepening suspicions about systemic corruption within the department.
Massive Bribes for Transfers and Promotions
A complaint submitted to the Governor’s office deofficials within Minister Thimmapura’s office allegedly collected Rs 16 crores office. This includes payments from three Deputy Commissioners, nine Superintendents, thirteen Deputy Superintendents, and over twenty Excise Inspectors, each seeking favourable transfers and promotions.
The complaint further claims that Rs 40-50 lakh was required for transferring Excise Inspectors to high-demand locations like Bangalore, Rs 25-35 lakh for Superintendent transfers, and up to Rs 3.5 crore for Deputy Commissioner-level transfers. This systematic extortion was allegedly overseen by Shetty, who purportedly acted as the minister’s “right-hand man.” Shetty.
Complaint Submitted to the Governor with Supporting Evidence
The letter sent to the Governor, accompanied by detailed accounts and purported evidence of corruption, also reached the Chief Minister’s Office, Lokayukta Bangalore, and other senior officials. The complaint calls for an immediate investigation into these practices, urging state authorities to intervene and prevent further misconduct in the Excise Department.
Opposition Leaders Condemn Allegations, Demand Accountability:
Opposition leaders have expressed outrage over these allegations, with BJP leader R. Ashok condemning the alleged corruption in the strongest terms. During a press conference, Ashok accused the Congress-led government of overseeing rampant corruption, stating, “The people who should be upholding the law are instead treating the state like a private revenue-generating machine.” Ashok claimed that Karnataka’s liquor shops, numbering over 11,000, were being extorted for monthly payments, with department officials allegedly collecting Rs 20,000 from each establishment.
ಅಬಕಾರಿ ಇಲಾಖೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ₹500 ಕೋಟಿ ಲೂಟಿ!
ಕಾಂಗ್ರೆಸ್ ಸರ್ಕಾರದ ಲಂಚಾವತಾರದ ಮತ್ತೂಂದು ಕರಾಳ ಅಧ್ಯಾಯ ಬಹಿರಂಗಗೊಂಡಿದ್ದು, ರಾಜ್ಯ ಮದ್ಯ ಮಾರಾಟಗಾರರ ಸಂಘ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @siddaramaiah ಹಾಗು ರಾಜ್ಯಪಾಲರಿಗೆ ಬರೆದಿರುವ ಪತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಬಕಾರಿ ಸಚಿವರು 'ಮಂಥ್ಲಿ ಮನಿ' ಹೆಸರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಮದ್ಯದ ಅಂಗಡಿಗಳಿಂದ ಪ್ರತಿ ತಿಂಗಳಿಗೆ ₹15 ಕೋಟಿ ರೂಪಾಯಿಯಂತೆ… pic.twitter.com/wFx2Eas1sK
— R. Ashoka (@RAshokaBJP) November 5, 2024
Ashok did not hold back in his criticism, calling it “a new low” for state governance. “Rowdies in Bengaluru used to collect hafta. Now, it seems that government ministers themselves have taken over this role,” he remarked. Ashok criticised Minister Thimmapura, alleging that the scandal within the Excise Department pointed to “greed at the top levels of power.”
Allegations of Racketeering and Hafta Collection
These accusations add fuel to an ongoing debate in Karnataka about ethical governance, as well as concerns over ministerial accountability. According to sources close to the investigation, Thimmapura and his associates allegedly ran an organised operation to extort money from bar owners and those within their own department. As per the complaint, liquor shop owners were routinely required to pay significant sums under a “hafta” system to keep their businesses running smoothly.
Siddaramaiah Faces Lokayukta Interrogation, Raising Concerns Over Government Transparency
The controversy comes as Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself recently appeared before the Lokayukta for questioning in the MUDA land scam. Opposition leaders have linked these cases to what they claim is a pattern of misconduct within the Congress-led state government. Addressing this, R. Ashok remarked, “Forty years of so-called open political life is meaningless if ministers are lining their pockets at the expense of the public. When a Chief Minister appears before the Lokayukta, we must ask: who else in this government is involved in corrupt practices?”
Citizens Call for Investigation and Accountability
The public outcry is growing as more Karnataka people become aware of the situation. Citizens have demanded social media immediate action to uncover the truth behind these allegations and prevent the continued exploitation of government power for personal gain. Calls for an inquiry into the Excise Department’s practices are intensifying, with social media and public platforms becoming inundated with demands for transparency and accountability from elected officials.
This scandal is poised to spark serious political and public consequences. As the pressure mounts, all eyes are now on the state government to take decisive action, either to clear their names or to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
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