Kerala Excise Department
The action came after Excise Minister M Liju received information on August 27 about alleged liquor sales at bar hotels beyond the permitted hours. The minister was also informed about an alleged intermediary who was reportedly working for the Kottayam Deputy Excise Commissioner.
The preliminary inquiry found that Rs 55,000 was allegedly collected from four bar establishments — New York Square, Blue Star, Breezeland and Panchavadi — through an intermediary in connection with the Deputy Excise Commissioner, according to the suspension order issued by Rao on Sunday. The inquiry also uncovered a separate alleged collection of Rs 26,000 from New York Square Bar. In another alleged transaction, Rs 26,000 was handed over in four covers to Civil Excise Officer Visakh A S, in the presence of Preventive Officer (Grade) Lalu Thankachan, according to the inquiry.
The establishment was also allegedly supplying liquor, beer and food items to the personnel, the order said. The amount was reportedly handed over to Excise personnel in four covers. The suspension order also noted that the Deputy Excise Commissioner admitted during the inquiry that he had deleted data from his mobile phone after it was seized as part of the investigation. The department treated this as an aggravating circumstance.