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 .