Monthly payments from bar owners: Excise Department recommends action against Kottayam Excise Deputy Commissioner

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Excise Department has recommended departmental disciplinary action against Kottayam Excise Deputy Commissioner S. Ashok Kumar over a complaint that he allegedly received monthly payments from bar owners.

On Friday, a team led by Excise Commissioner Seeram Sambasiva Rao conducted a search at Ashok Kumar’s residence and collected digital evidence, including his mobile phone. He was subsequently summoned to Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday morning, where his statement was recorded.

The Excise Commissioner has submitted a report containing details of the search and investigation to the Secretary of the Taxes Department. Further action will be taken after Excise Minister M. Liju examines the report. As the deputy commissioner is the district-level head of the department, the government is responsible for taking action against him.

The seized phone is believed to contain details of financial transactions involving bar owners. Complaints had earlier been raised regarding the functioning of bars in Kottayam district. Based on these complaints, the department conducted a three-day confidential inquiry before carrying out the search under the leadership of the Excise Commissioner.