Madikeri: The Excise Department has conducted several raids in the district to ensure that the Model Code of Conduct is not violated ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

The department has arrested one man on charges of bootlegging. It has also registered 9 cases under Column 15 of the Excise Act against people selling liquor in public places and filed petty cases on four wine shops.

Reportedly, the State Election Commissioner had received an online complaint stating that miscreants were manufacturing illicit liquor out of cashew fruits at Chembu Dhabadka village, about 50 km from Madikeri.

Following a tip-off from the Election Commission, the Kodagu District Excise Department Commissioner, along with Deputy Commissioner, Inspector and the department staff conducted the raid during the wee hours of Tuesday, March 26, at the house of one D B Gopal, son of Bollappa, in Chembu Dhabadka. The department has seized 5 litres of liquor, 40 litres of cashew juice, 10 kilograms of jaggery and other materials used to manufacture liquor, from the house.

The accused Gopal has been booked for manufacturing illicit liquor and produced before the court.