The Delhi Police is caught in an embarrassing situation after it allegedly lost track of over half the liquor seized in the city during the model code of conduct.
Election Commission (EC) sources said that from March 5 to 25, the excise department had seized 7,872 bottles (750ml) of liquor Indian-Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) but police records showed only 3,491 bottles in its custody with no trace of the remaining 4,381 bottles.
Sources in the office of the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said they suspect that the bottles have been siphoned off. “Interestingly we had handed over IMFL as well as country-made liquor but none of the latter is missing. This is quite strange and this is why we have doubts on the disappearance,” said a senior CEO official.
The discrepancy in figures prompted the Delhi CEO to launch an inquiry to trace the bottles and seek an explanation from the Delhi Police. A letter was sent to the police in March-end asking them to submit a detailed report.
While the police have conducted a preliminary enquiry and sent a report to the CEO office, they are yet to submit a detailed report. “Investigations are being conducted into the complaint as per the directions of the EC,” said a Delhi Police officer.
The Delhi Lok Sabha polls took place on April 10 but the model code of conduct will remain in place till end of the election.
The Delhi Lok Sabha polls took place on April 10 but the model code of conduct will remain in place till end of the election.