`Political angle' of hooch tragedy may not be probed
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

BHUBANESWAR, FEB 24: The judicial probe ordered by the Orissa government into the hooch tragedy at Puri and Bhubaneswar may not inquire into whether those responsible for it had political patronage.

According to reliable sources, the political aspect is likely to be ignored in the terms of reference for the probe which are being finalised by the government. The probe will find out the reasons which led to the tragedy, the persons responsible for it and suggest remedial measures.

The R.K. Behera commission of inquiry had gone into the aspect of political patronage after the Cuttack hooch tragedy of 1992. But this time there is no allegation of involvement of any politician, the sources said.

Even the Government is of the view that the commission should inquire into whether the hooch tragedy had any political angle to it. It is anticipated that it will be restricted to the role of manufacturers and vendors of illicit liquor, without going deeper into the nexus between politicians, excise officials and bootleggers.

The fact that bootlegging flourished in the state even when country spirit was banned since 1994, requires a thorough probe as such a trade cannot go on under the nose of the excise officials without political patronage at some level.

The arrest of the kingpin of the tragedy, Jayant Mahapatra alias Bulu at Sohela in Bargarh district on Friday has also raised many an eyebrow. It is well known that Sohela is the route through which country spirit is smuggled into Orissa from Madhya Pradesh.

The probe will be conducted by the Khurda district judge Mahendranath Patnaik.

Copyright © 2001 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.