Aman Sood
Patiala, January 24
The role of the police and the Excise Department has come under scanner after they failed to make any arrest even three days after recovery of a huge quantity of liquor from an unauthorised storage place here. Sources claimed no arrest had been made so far as one of the suspects was linked to the Congress.
Claim, counter-claim
The police are now investigating the case. If there is any laxity in the probe, we will look into it. Rajat Agarwal, Excise Commissioner
Excise Department is probing the liquor haul case and it will make arrests, if required. Ashok Kumar Sharma, DSP (City), Patiala
On January 22, the Excise Department and the police “raided and searched the premises of liquor licensee Manju Singla”. An unauthorised stock of liquor was seized from a house located near their Lahori Gate vend.
Excise Commissioner Rajat Agarwal later said it was found that three persons, namely Lalit Singla, Keshav Singla (who are family members of the licensee) and their partner Umesh Sharma, were involved in storing liquor at unauthorised places.
Information gathered by The Tribune revealed that Keshav is a Congress leader and an applicant for the Patiala (Urban) seat.
Keshav said, “I have submitted details to the Excise Department. There was nothing wrong, except that the liquor was stored in a house. Except one brand, all holograms on bottles were intact.”
SAD and AAP leaders said, “We will write to the Election Commission and seek action against the cops.” They alleged that the liquor was to be distributed during polls.
DCC Patiala (Urban) chief NP Verma said such liquor traders who were storing illegal liquor did not deserve to be in the party.
Liquor haul: 1 of 4 suspects ticket aspirant
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