Pralhad Joshi's brother absconding, investigation in fraud case continues: G. Parameshwara
Bengaluru: A fraud case has been lodged against Union Minister Prahlad Joshi's brother, Gopal Joshi, who is currently absconding. Home Minister G. Parameshwara confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and three people have already been arrested in connection with the case.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, Parameshwara said, "When a complaint is filed, it must be taken seriously. Gopal Joshi is absconding, and the police are continuing their investigation as per the law."
He further clarified that he is not aware of any direct involvement of Pralhad Joshi in the matter. "It is too early to comment on his role. Once the arrested individuals are questioned and their statements recorded, we will have clarity. Until the investigation progresses and reports are submitted, it wouldn't be appropriate to make any assumptions," Parameshwara added.
On a different note, the Home Minister also responded to questions about the caste census. He said, "I am unaware of why Congress MLA Shamanur Shivashankarappa met Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai. The government has spent ₹160 crore on the caste census, and after spending such a large sum, people have the right to know the results. The Chief Minister has assured that the report detailing the population of different communities will be presented to the cabinet. Not everyone will agree 100% on any issue; there will always be opposing views," he remarked.
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41 lakh illicit liquor seized, 1.84 lakh arrested in major drive: K'taka Minister tells Assembly
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): The Karnataka Excise Department has conducted a statewide crackdown on illegal liquor trade over the last two years, resulting in arrests and seizures of alcohol, Karnataka Excise Minister R B Timmapur said on Tuesday.
As many as 1,09,017 people were arrested, and seizures included 13.66 lakh litres of liquor and 27.19 lakh litres of beer, he said in a written reply to a starred question by Harihar BJP MLA B P Harish in the Karnataka Assembly.
The Minister said the enforcement drive covered the financial year 2023–24, 2024–25 up to June, and 2025–26 from July to October, targeting unauthorised liquor manufacture, storage, sale and transportation across the State.
"During this period, statewide enforcement drives resulted in a total of 1,84,570 raids against illegal liquor sales,” Timmapur said.
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He noted that 9,179 non-bailable cases and 91,968 bailable and compoundable cases under Section 15(A) of the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, were registered during the same period.
According to him, there have been no reports indicating that students have become addicted to alcohol due to illegal liquor sales.
The sale of alcohol to minors is strictly prohibited under the Karnataka Excise Act, 1965, and the department has issued periodic instructions to initiate legal action against violators, with strict enforcement and investigation measures in place, the Minister said.
Excise officials are carrying out regular road and night patrols, collecting intelligence, monitoring habitual offenders and conducting raids to identify illicit distillation units, unauthorised liquor outlets and spurious liquor manufacturing centres, he said, adding the department is also enforcing the law to prevent the production, storage, sale and transport of spurious, non-duty-paid and unauthorised liquor.
Regular patrols are being conducted on national and state highways, with suspicious vehicles being subjected to checks.
At the district level, standing committee meetings are held under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioners, and joint operations are carried out with the police and forest departments to curb excise-related offences.
The department is also conducting awareness programmes through Gram Sabhas and in schools and colleges to educate the public and students about the physical, mental and social health hazards associated with alcohol addiction and substance abuse, Timmapur added.
