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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Liquor raids in Andhra: Big fish go scot-free by Mahesh Buddi

Liquor raids in Andhra: Big fish go scot-free by Mahesh Buddi

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published Published on Feb 10, 2012   modified Modified on Feb 10, 2012

In the last two months, Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials have been on the hot pursuit of liquor mafia across the state, but ironically not a single 'syndicate member' has been nabbed in the city. Reason: High political pressure as some ministers themselves are involved in liquor business in the city.

As part of the statewide crackdown against liquor syndicate in the past 50 days, ACB officers have so far arrested over 35 people, including several excise officials.

Though there are over 200 retail liquor outlets in the city and ongoing probe throwing light on liquor mafia across the state, ACB sleuths have registered just one case against a syndicate member, who is yet to be arrested. Based on arrested excise inspector Laxman Naik's confession, police booked Balraj Goud, who, according to sources, has hold over 50 liquor shops in the twin cities, Ranga Reddy and Mahbubnagar districts. "We have booked a case against liquor syndicate member Balraj Goud of Chikkadpally, but he is absconding," an ACB officer told TOI.

However, the preliminary investigation conducted by ACB revealed that other than Balraj, who enjoys the support of a city minister, who himself has share in 14 shops, there are three more prominent syndicate operators in the city. ACB investigators are reportedly going slow on city syndicate members due to high- level political intervention.

Another city minister reportedly has stake in 27 shops, including those in Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Khairatabad and Nampally.

Pleading anonymity, an ACB officer, who is part of the probe, has revealed that 15 shops in Rajendra Nagar, Attapur and Shamshabad are under the control of a 'group' backed by an MLA from the surrounding areas.

Similarly, a businessman of Nizamabad and a resident of Kothapet together control 55 shops located on the highways and outskirts, including Shamirpet, Medchal, Kompally, Dilsukhanagar, LB Nagar, Hayatnagar and the neighbouring districts. The duo are backed by certain city MLAs and ministers.

Despite ACB raids and due to the backing of such powerful people, the MRP violation is rampant even in the heart of the capital. "For liqour purchases below Rs 200, the shops charge Rs 5 extra and for anything above that the margin increases to Rs 10. On Wednesday, I had to pay Rs 85 for Kingfisher Strong Beer, Rs 6 above the MRP, at a shop at Banjara Hills, while half a bottle of Mansion House was charged Rs 10 more than the MRP," P Sunil, a resident of Masab Tank, told TOI.

It is not just MRP violation, even the 'mamool' collection is continuing unabatedly in the city despite ACB raids. Investigations by 'TOI' at a few liquor stores in the upmarket Banjara Hills area revealed that every month retail outlet owners shell out anywhere between Rs 30,000 and Rs 50,000 as 'mamool' to excise, law and order and traffic police, local corporators and in some cases even legal metrology and GHMC officials.

When contacted about the slow pace of ACB probe against liquor syndicates in the city, ACB joint director (JD) A R Srinivas said: "We are doing our best with the available staff. The culprits will be brought to book soon."


The Times of India, 10 February, 2012, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Liquor-raids-in-Andhra-Big-fish-go-scot-free/articleshow/11829197.cms


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