The Congress on Thursday demanded the ouster of BJP leader and Minister of State for Social Justice Dilip Kamble after he was booked for taking a bribe to issue a liquor licence.

Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, “Before the police arrest Dilip Kamble, he should be removed from the State Cabinet. He can pressurise the police and stop further action if he remains in the post.” According to the complainant Vilas Chavan, a resident of Aurangabad, Mr. Kamble demanded a bribe when they met four times at his official residence. He said Mr. Kamble’s personal assistant was paid ₹60 lakh and ₹10 lakh was transferred to the Minister’s account from the bank account of the hotel owned by Mr. Chavan’s wife.

Following the court’s directions an FIR under Sections 420, 120 b, 406 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code was filed at Aurangabad’s CIDCO police station on March 18. Mr. Sawant said, “The episode shows how true the slogan ‘chowkidar chor hai’ is. The CM must sack the Minister. The State Cabinet seems to be the gang of thieves and the CM must not protect his criminal colleagues.”

Mr. Kamble was not available for comment.