Collector to decide on release of seized liquor

BERHAMPUR: Finally the IMFL seizure matter of United Spirits Ltd (USL) at Narayanpur under Gopalpur police limits reached the Ganjam collector’s court.The USL is authorised by the State Government to transport and export duty -paid IMFL. The company, owned by Vijay Mallya, supplies IMFL to Odisha State Beverages Corporation Ltd (OSBC) depots.On February 23 this year, a truck with around 50,000 bottles of IMFL of USL was on its way to Sambalpur via Bhanjanagar when Tarasingi police detained the truck. During verification of records, a large quantity of IMFL was not mentioned in the transportation pass. Two staff of USL reached the Tarasingi police station and produced other necessary documents. They claimed that the bottles were loaded in a hurry by casual labourers and hence some bottles could not be listed. Police, in no mood to relent, seized the truck and arrested the driver on charges of unauthorised transportation of IMFL. The following day the driver was produced before the Sub Divisional Judicial Magitrate (SDJM), Bhanjanagar, who remanded him in judicial custody.  Meanwhile, Mainak Pal, local unit manager of USL, appealed to the SDJM, Bhanjanagar, and the Ganjam Collector to release the seized liquor on the same plea.The USL moved the Orissa High Court to direct police to release the IMFL-laden truck since it was kept in the open without proper protection.The High Court in its order directed the SDJM, Bhanjanagar, to send all the documents to the Collector, who shall consider release of the seized goods in the presence of Superintendent of Excise, Ganjam, after verifying all relevant documents regarding the seized articles.Accordingly, the SDJM court sent a copy of the High Court order to Tarasingi police and  Collector Kishen Kumar who would hear the matter.