Vigilance probe ordered into liquor smuggling during lockdown

CHANDIGARH: Haryana home minister Anil Vij on Thursday said the state government has ordered a vigilance probe into the findings of the SET constituted to investigate into the instances of pilferage of liquor from warehouses during the lockdown. The inquiry had revealed glaring deficiencies in functioning of excise and taxation department and indicated collusion of officials in smuggling and illegal sale of liquor. “There was no rationale for physical movement of stocks during lockdown… it is evident that there was huge unauthorised movement of liquor. The complicity of excise, police officials cannot be ruled out. Probe needed as movement of not a single soul, except those involved in essential duties, was permitted during lockdown,” reads the inquiry findings.

EXPLANATION OF OFFICERS SOUGHT

Explanation has been sought from IAS officer Shekhar Vidyarthi, the present excise and taxation commissioner, and IPS officer of AGMUT cadre Pratiksha Godara, who is a former Sonepat SP. Godara, who was on an intercadre deputation to Haryana, is back to her parent cadre.

Vidyarthi’s explanation has been called as he had ordered closure of liquor vends during the lockdown by only giving verbal instructions. In the absence of written instructions, permits and passes for movement of liquor were issued during the closure period by some districts. He was also held responsible for dillydallying pieces of information sought by the SET and hampering the visit of the enquiry team to a distillery.