Four envelopes, Rs 26,000 during Onam; More details emerge in bar bribery case

KOTTAYAM: The bar owners alleged that suspended Excise Deputy Commissioner Ashok Kumar and other officials used to collect huge amounts from them on special occasions. According to a bar owner in Changanassery, he must pay huge bribes directly on occasions like license renewal, Onam and Christmas to these officials. According to his statement, during Onam, Rs 26,000 was handed over to Civil Excise Officer Visakh A.S. in four envelopes, and Grade Preventive Officer Lalu Thankachan was with him. The envelopes contained cash in the denominations of Rs 10,000, Rs 5,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 1,000. Out of this amount, one envelope was given to the circle staff. It was handed over to Grade Preventive Officer Santhosh, according to Visakh's statement.

The remaining three envelopes were received by Lalu Thankachan. There is an allegation of Rs 55,000 being circulated to Ashok Kumar. The collection was done in three bars. A prominent bar owner in the district acted as an intermediary to collect the share. The money was transferred to the bank accounts of Ashok Kumar's relatives.

It all started following Minister M Liju's public response, citing some bars operating without following the time schedule. Following this, officials including Ashok Kumar came under surveillance. Seeram Sambasiva Rao, along with Additional Commissioner R. Jayashankar, disguised themselves and reached the bar in the district on Friday on a dry day. The Excise Vigilance SP and two officials were also present. They easily managed to acquire liquor, and thus the suspicion grew.

Documents were seized from Ashok Kumar's house in Changanassery on Saturday morning. Footage of him reaching bars without uniform was also received. It was discovered that more officials, including those in the Changanassery range, are linked to the monthly scam. Evidence has also been received against M. Manuel and Praveen Sivanand, officers of the Kottayam Excise Enforcement and Anti-Narcotics Special Squad.

Up to 15,000 per month

• Officials received Rs 15,000 per month from one bar alone

• Officials were allowed liquor and beer from the bar as much as they wanted

• Secret permission to sell liquor on dry days and to open without following the schedule.

• Other officials were prohibited from inspecting the bar

• During the technical inspection, Ashok Kumar admitted erasing digital evidence from his phone