Hooch tragedy: K'taka Excise Commissioner transferred

Bangalore, May 24: In the wake of the hooch tragedy that claimed 133 lives in Karnataka so far, the State Government has transferred Excise Commissioner C R Chikkamath. Mr Yogendra Tripathi, Secretary (Finance Department), has been appointed as the new Excise Commissioner, official sources said here today.

The killer brew had left a trial of death in the city, Kolar, Bangalore Rural and Hassan districts since Sunday last. The government had already suspended 26 officials for their alleged dereliction of duty. Police have arrested 44 bootleggers, including Sounder Rajan, the kingpin behind the hooch brewing and distribution racket.

UNI