BENGALURU: The Congress government in Karnataka is facing another huge embarrassment as state excise minister RB Timmapur is accused of corruption and bribery in his department. The Karnataka Wine Merchants’ Association has accused his office of demanding Rs 16 crore in bribe from officials within the excise department.
The allegations have heightened calls for accountability, with BJP calling for Timmapur’s resignation amid growing concerns over corruption within the state’s excise administration.
In a letter to governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot, the chief secretary and the Karnataka Lokayukta, the Association outlined extensive bribery and money-laundering practices allegedly orchestrated by the minister’s office, particularly concerning the transfer of excise officials in Bengaluru.
However, TOI couldn’t independently verify the authenticity of these allegations. According to the letter, Rs 16 crore was reportedly collected in just one day from various levels of the excise department, including deputy commissioners, superintendents, and inspectors, as their tenures came to a close.
Timmapur has denied the allegations, saying, “You must ask them why they went to pay money. Why would anyone pay if everything is in order?”
The letter from the Association paints a grim picture of systemic corruption, alleging that “huge bribes and money-laundering” are common in the excise minister’s office. It suggests that these illegal activities are aimed at facilitating illicit collection of funds for electoral purposes. Notably, the document claims that substantial sums have been extracted over the past two to three and a half years, coinciding with the conclusion of various officers’ tenures.
Wine merchants should correct themselves: Excise minister
It further details that one deputy commissioner allegedly took between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 40 lakh from each officer for easy transfers, leading to a total of Rs 2.5 crore to Rs 3 crore reportedly collected from deputy commissioners operating in Bengaluru alone.
Amid these allegations, minister Timmapur, who was campaigning in Shiggaon, pledged to take action against officials involved in corrupt practices. “When these people (wine merchants) do something wrong, then they (officers) harass them. The wine merchants should correct themselves,” he said, attempting to counter the accusations and suggesting that they may be motivated by personal grievances.
Timmapur further said: “These allegations are baseless and politically motivated. While I have approved some promotions through proper channels, I did not authorise any transfers for monetary gain. Transfers were not executed, but routine promotions were processed appropriately. The licence renewal process was conducted without undue pressure or monetary demands… Instead of making such unfounded accusations, the association should identify who actually received the payments.”
Opposition leader in the assembly and senior BJP MLA, R Ashoka, alleged a wider “Rs 700-crore liquor scam” operating within the state. He alleged that Thimmapur is implicated in “blatant extortion and bribery,” linking this controversy to other scandals, including those involving the alleged Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation and Muda land scams.