Excise Dept chargesheets minister Ranike’s son
Saturday, 03/05/2014
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20140503/punjab.htm#2
Patiala : On the directions of the Election Commission, the Punjab Excise and Taxation Department has issued a charge sheet to Punjab Animal Husbandry Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike's son, Bhupinderpal Singh, who is Excise and Taxation Inspector. The action has been initiated on a report by the Patiala District Electoral Officer.
Department officials said: “We are merely complying with the EC directions.”
Sources said Bhupinderpal had been asked to reply within 21 days. “We will send the officer's reply to the Election Commission which will then take a decision,” they said.
Priyank Bharti, DEO, Patiala, in his probe report on allegations of liquor having been distributed at a SAD rally in Ghanaur, had indicted Bhupinderpal for “dereliction of duty.”
He had recommended action against him and a liquor contractor.
Bhupinderpal has been issued the charge sheet under the Punjab Civil Services Rules. “If he pleads not guilty, we will have to summon witnesses,” said an official.
The DEO has said that Bhupinderpal had initially given him information that was misleading.
He claimed his team could not establish whether the liquor brand shown in The Tribune photos had been sold by a vend in Ghanaur. Bhupinderpal, who had raided the vend, had claimed that he had discovered no wrong-doing. However, the final report recommends strict action against Bhupinderpal. for “withholding facts from the probe team,” said Bharti.
Looking back
Priyank Bharti, DEO, Patiala, was asked to probe if liquor was distributed at SAD’s poll rally in Ghanaur
In his probe report, submitted on April 20, the DEO indicted Bhupinderpal for dereliction of duty
He also recommended action against a liquor contractor in Ghanaur
