Lokayukta finds no proof against Renuka

The Lokayukta police on Saturday submitted a report in the Special Lokayukta Court stating that no witnesses could be found to support the charges that liquor found in the office of deputy commissioner (DC) of the Excise department, were meant to be supplied to Excise Minister Renukacharya.

The Lokayukta police on March 22 had conducted searches in the offices of all the deputy commissioners of the Excise department in the City. The raid in office of DC (East) Mohan Kumar L N had yielded Rs 25,000 in cash and several bottles of alcohol.

Mohan Kumar, who was arrested and produced in the court, had stated that Renukacharya had ordered whisky to be sent to the Golden Palms resort, where MLAs of Yeddyurappa faction had gathered. Judge N K Sudhindra Rao had ordered an inquiry into the matter.

The Lokayukta police submitted in the court that they found no evidence or witnesses to support the statements of Mohan Kumar. However, the phone records, sought by the judge, revealed the call details of the minister and the DC on March 19, 20 and 21. Renukacharya and his personal assistant had said that the calls were made to discuss details of the budget and the financial year end, the Lokayukta police said.

The judge, however, sought to know what details of the budget and finances could be exchanged in the calls which were merely of 30 seconds duration. The matter has been adjourned to April 9.