Legal trouble for government over new brandy; court seeks report

KOCHI: A court has sought a report after a new brandy produced by a government-owned distillery was named while a petition is pending in the High Court. It was the Thiruvananthapuram First Class Magistrate Court that sought the report. The court directed the Museum Police to submit the report before Wednesday. The report was sought based on a petition filed by Kollam native MM Sajeev Kumar. The petition challenges the naming of the liquor brand despite an existing stay order from the High Court.

The petitioner argues that producing liquor without a valid licence is equivalent to manufacturing illicit liquor. The petition also demands that a criminal case be registered against the Managing Directors of BEVCO and Malabar Distilleries.

Meanwhile, Malabar Distilleries began operations yesterday despite strict directions from the High Court. The plant was inaugurated by Excise Minister MB Rajesh. The liquor plant spans 75,000 square feet. In the first phase of production, water will be sourced from Malampuzha, and later from rainwater storage. More than one lakh litres of water will be required daily. At the same time, petitioner M.M. Sanjeev Kumar has started an indefinite hunger strike in front of the Secretariat, demanding that the government withdraw its action.