Poll officials stopped from performing duty at Udupi bar

Kundapur assistant commissioner T Bhoobalan and probationary IAS officer Poovitha were stopped from discharging their duties and questioned by the owner, employees and customers of a bar and restaurant at Koteshwara late on Monday night.

The assistant commissioner, along with his team, was on duty for checking violations of the election model code of conduct. They were videographing the happenings inside the bar, after they received a complaint that the hotel was selling liquor beyond the deadline.

They were questioned by the customers who were worried that their identities would become public. They were joined by the owner and employees, who questioned the team repeatedly. Despite explaining their responsibilities, the officials were prevented from discharging their duties.

The team rushed to the Kundapur police station and filed a case. Police have arrested Surendra Shetty and Prabhakar Acharya in connection with the incident.