PANAJI
The Goa Excise Department is likely to quiz suspended excise inspector Pramod Juvekar for his alleged involvement in liquor smuggling into Karnataka. The officials are also expected to probe his past inter-State travel without official permission.
Sources confirmed to The Goan that Juvekar, who is nearing superannuation, had previously travelled to Karnataka, though the purpose of these trips remains unclear. Reports suggest that he did not obtain the necessary permission to travel to another state.
The department is also inquiring whether Juvekar was apprehended by Karnataka's excise officials or police during any of his past visits for allegedly smuggling Goa-made alcohol.
“We will request a report from the Karnataka Excise Department regarding his recent arrest and any previous cases. We need to establish if he was detained or arrested earlier for a similar offence without the Goa government’s knowledge,” the source said.
Officials are further scrutinising a retail liquor licence reportedly linked to his family members or close relatives.
Juvekar was caught for the alleged transportation of 138.05 litres of Goa-manufactured liquor into Karnataka during a raid in Shimoga in Uttara Kannada on Sunday. His Goa-registered vehicle was seized, and he was arrested before being granted bail. The Goa Excise Department served him with a suspension order on Monday evening.
The Additional Commissioner of Excise has been tasked with conducting an inquiry and submitting a report at the earliest.
