Police staff collecting cash from liquor vendors, Ganja mafia in Puri: Excise Inspector

Even as Odisha Police is patting its own back for intensifying its crackdown on illegal narcotics trade, an Excise Inspector on Monday levelled serious allegations against Puri police staff.

The concerned Excise Inspector Sanjay Panda has alleged that the staff of Puri district police are taking money from various excise offenders. In a letter to Excise Commissioner, Panda has highlighted such irregularities and the problems faced by the Excise staff in carrying out their duties.

“While carrying out raids in Puri district in the past one year, I found that whenever we arrest any excise offenders, they said they are giving huge monthly money to the Police Station staff,” wrote Panda.

According to Panda, less number of excise cases are detected by the police station staff due to their nexus with the offenders. Such offenders also have little fear about the excise department officials.

“We are getting less salary compared to those working in police station who also get additional benefits like quarters and medalsm,” said Panda.

Levelling serious allegations against the Excise Superintendent, Panda also said that he (the former) doesn’t know anything. He is only oiling higher-ups’ palms to safeguard his service. 

Panda has also brought the matter to the notice Puri SP, Collector for appropriate action at their end.

In his reaction, Excise Superintendent Amarendra Jena said the Excise Inspector might have developed psychiatric issues.  

“He had never given such statements in last one-and-a-half years. When contacted his family and enquired after him, we came to know that he had been taking psychiatric medicine and discontinued it since March 15. The change in his behaviour may be an effect of that,” said Jena.