UDUPI: Two persons have been arrested from Ankadakatte on the outskirts of Kundapur on Monday late night for obstructing the election officials from discharging their duties. The officials visited a hotel -- Sahana Orchid -- in Koteshwara near Kundapur to conduct verification relating to violation of poll code. It is learnt that the accused tried to assault the officials besides pushing them.
Electoral officer of Kundapur constituency T Bhoobalan, who is also assistant commissioner of Kundapur sub division and probationary IAS officer Poovitha were obstructed from doing their duty.
On the basis of a complaint made by the assistant commissioner, hotel owner’s husband Prashanth Shetty and a customer -- Mahesh Poojari were taken into custody by Kundapur town station police. The police are conducting investigation about the alleged incident, while two more unidentified persons who too tried to assault the officials escaped from the spot.
Bhoobalan said steps would be initiated against the accused as per the directions of the Election Commission for trying to assault on duty officials and obstruct them from discharging their duties. Excise deputy commissioner Meerunandan had also visited the hotel. They had gone there to check the authenticity of a complaint received by them about liquor being in the hotel. When they were capturing video footage in the hotel, some customers objected to it. This led to verbal spat between the officials and customers of the hotel, it is said.
On the basis of a complaint made by the assistant commissioner, Prashanth Shetty and Mahesh Poojari were taken into custody. The police are conducting investigation about the alleged incident.
However on Tuesday, the arrested duo, citing health reasons, sought permission from the police that they be admitted to a hospital. Later, the duo were admitted to a hospital.
T Bhoobalan told Express that as per the license condition, the hotel owner was suppose to serve liquor only to the occupants of the rooms in the hotel, but without obtaining the permission in form CL-9 from the DC of excise department, liquor was being served to every customers who asked for liquor along with dinner. Bhoobalan added, this was a clear case of violation of excise rules.