3 days ago
Kerala Suspends Seven Excise Officials After Alleged Bribery Sting
Kerala’s Excise Department investigated complaints that some bar owners were being asked for money and other gifts.
The investigation was called Operation BIJAPUR.
The Excise Commissioner reportedly went undercover with vigilance officers to inspect bars.
Investigators collected statements, recordings and CCTV footage.
They said the evidence suggested a regular system for collecting payments, liquor and food.
At least Rs 55,000 in payments was traced.
The department also said phone data was deleted from one official’s device during the investigation.
Seven officials were suspended over the allegations.
A formal inquiry will now determine what happened and who was responsible.
Seven Kerala Excise officials, including Kottayam Deputy Excise Commissioner S Asoka Kumar, were suspended after a sting operation.
Operation BIJAPUR investigated complaints that bars supplied officials with money, liquor and other freebies.
Officials allegedly traced at least Rs 55,000 in payments linked to bars in the Changanassery region.
The department said data on Asoka Kumar’s phone was remotely wiped during the investigation and later detected by cyber police.
A departmental inquiry will examine the alleged racket, while penalty proceedings began against an Excise Range Inspector over supervisory lapses.
- Who
- Seven Kerala Excise officials were suspended, including Kottayam Deputy Excise Commissioner S Asoka Kumar; an Excise Range Inspector also faces penalty proceedings.
- What
- A secret investigation uncovered alleged systematic collection of money, liquor and other freebies from licensed bars.
- Where
- The alleged activity was investigated at bars in and around Changanassery in Kottayam, Kerala.
- When
- The surprise inspections took place late on August 28; the suspensions followed the investigation.
- Why
- The action followed confidential complaints alleging that Excise personnel were collecting payments and gifts from bars.
Key facts
- Operation
- Operation BIJAPUR
- Officials suspended
- Seven
- Location
- Changanassery region, Kottayam, Kerala
- Payments traced
- At least Rs 55,000
- Evidence collected
- Statements, audio recordings, CCTV footage, digital logs and financial records
- Alleged collection system
- Fixed amounts of money, premium liquor bottles and food
- Next step
- A detailed departmental inquiry into the alleged racket
Sources
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