BELAGAVI
A Belagavi excise team seized around 14,000 litres of illegally transported spirit worth Rs 14 lakh from a Goa-bound tanker during an operation near Jamboti village in Khanapur taluka early Tuesday morning.
Acting on specific information, the excise team seized the tanker moving via Jamboti to Goa. Upon questioning, the driver identified himself as Siddaraju Puttaswama Shetty (47) of Hegginavalu in Nanjangud taluka of Mysuru district.
Officials said the tanker was carrying documents showing the transport of 10,000 litres of ‘Rice Bran Oil’ under a bill issued by a transport corporation in Chennai. However, the excise team grew suspicious after noticing that the tanker container was unusually cold.
A detailed inspection revealed that the tanker was actually transporting nearly 14,000 litres of spirit illegally for sale and distribution in Goa.
Authorities immediately initiated legal action and served a notice to the accused under Section 35(3) of the BNSS Act, 2023, directing him to appear for further investigation.
Excise authorities confirmed that the value of the spirit in the tanker was valued at approximately Rs 14 lakh.
Officials said efforts are now underway to trace and arrest the owner of the tanker vehicle. The case has been registered under various provisions of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, including violations of Sections 11, 12, 14 and 15, punishable under Sections 32(1), 34, 38(A) and 43 of the Act.
The raids were carried under the direction of Excise Commissioner Y Manjunath, Jt Excise Commissioner F H Chalwadi, Addl Commissioner Jagdish N K Central Office Belagavi, SP Excise Vijaykumar Hiremath. Senior Excise Official Ravi Murgod headed the operation.
