AGRA
: District magistrate NG Ravi Kumar has ordered an inquiry against a woman inspector of the excise department for her alleged involvement in illicit liquor trade. The action was taken after a purported audio clip of her conversation with a liquor baron demanding money for releasing cartons of seized liquor went viral on social media.
The accused was identified as Neelam Singh, in-charge of
Fatehabad-Shamshabad excise circle
.
The DM said, “The audio clip suggests that some illegal money transaction has happened between Singh and the liquor baron for releasing the adulterated liquor. This is a serious offence. We had warned the same officer earlier too but there was no concrete evidence available on the complaints against her. Now, there is sufficient proof.”
“A magisterial inquiry has been ordered against Singh and the others involved in illicit liquor trade. I have also asked the district excise department to submit a report on the wrongdoings of the officer. I will recommend her suspension to the excise commissioner,” he added.
In the purported audio clip, a liquor baron, identified as
Om Prakash, who is currently in jail after being caught with 27 cartons of adulterated liquor in Fatehabad on August 25, can be heard requesting Singh to release the seized consignment. To this, the officer can be heard asking Prakash to hand over the bribe amount to her mother at home and collect the cartons from there.
Neelesh Paliya, designated officer of Agra excise department, said, “We have written to the DM and excise commissioner for the suspension of Singh. There is sufficient proof against her for running adulterated liquor business in the district.”
When contacted, Singh refuted all the charges.
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.Arvind Chauhan is an experienced journalist with a demonstrated h...
Read MoreArvind Chauhan is an experienced journalist with a demonstrated history of working in the newspapers industry as well as for the social media wing as digital content creator. He has covered subjects like railways, aviation, defence, energy, health, real estate, minority affairs, women and child development, crime, customs, telecom, district court, district administration, roads and infrastructure, armed forces tribunal, and regional politics across Uttar Pradesh. He began his career in Lucknow, and has done reporting in West Uttar Pradesh. He has won the Times Scribe Award four times including for busting fake news, and extensive coverage on Covid orphans. He graduated with a journalism degree from Times School of Journalism and BA (Honors) in English from Lucknow University.
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