Kottayam Excise Deputy Commissioner, Six Others Suspended in Bribery Probe
Seven excise officials in Kottayam were suspended after an inquiry found evidence of regular monetary payments and other benefits allegedly collected from licensed bars.
Seven excise officials in Kerala's Kottayam district have been suspended following an inquiry into allegations that they collected cash, liquor, and other benefits from licensed bars. The action came after Excise Commissioner Seeram Sambasiva Rao launched 'Operation Bijapur' to investigate the claims.
The suspended officials include Deputy Excise Commissioner S. Asoka Kumar, Preventive Officers M. Manuel, Lalu Thankachan, Praveen Sivanand, Santhosh T., and Shiju K., along with Civil Excise Officer Visakh A.S. Separately, minor penalty proceedings were initiated against Excise Range Inspector Adarsh G.L. of Changanassery for alleged supervisory lapses.
The inquiry was prompted by multiple independent inputs from Kottayam, including complaints received by the Excise Minister on WhatsApp about illegal liquor sales beyond permitted hours at three bar hotels near Changanassery. During the investigation, CCTV footage from the New York Square Bar in Thrikkodithanam showed visits by excise personnel on August 19, 22, and 24.
According to the inquiry report, a bar owner stated that collections were ordinarily made three times a year — at licence renewal, during Onam, and during Christmas. Fixed amounts were paid so that establishments would not face problems in matters requiring excise permissions. The owner said there was an element of fear and that establishments felt compelled to make such payments. He also confirmed that the Deputy Excise Commissioner had visited the establishment and directed that an amount be handed over through an intermediary, Karinkkada Josy, who runs another bar.
The report attributes a direct and central role to the Deputy Excise Commissioner. It notes that he contacted the intermediary even while the inquiry was in progress, pointing to an apparent improper nexus. His initial denial and subsequent admission that he had arranged for remote wiping of his mobile phone while it was under examination was found to be a separate aggravating circumstance.