Swedish citizen was going to beach with liquor, there was no lapse, says Grade SI in his complaint

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Suspended Grade SI TC Shaji has said that he did not behave badly with Swedish citizen in Kovalam and never asked to empty the alcohol bottle. Grade SI said in a complaint to the Chief Minister and DGP Anil Kant through the Police Association that he was only enforcing the curbs.

"He is a Swedish citizen who has been living in Kovalam for the last four years. Therefore, he is not a foreign tourist. I told him that he cannot go to the beach with alcohol because of the restrictions due to the president's visit. I did not ask the foreigner to drain the alcohol", TC Shaji said in his complaint.

The controversy after the police stopped Stig Steven Asberg(68), who was on a scooter with three bottles of alcohol he purchased from Bevco.

The Swedish national then spilled alcohol on the road after police ordered him to dump the alcohol bottle. The incident became news after a journalist who was passing by recorded the incident. Two bottles of liquor were spilled by the Swedish citizen. Police said he need not empty the third bottle of liquor and he can take it on producing a bill. Steven then bought the bill from Bevco and took it to the police station.

Tourism Minister PA Mohammad Riyas said the police should not cause trouble for the government after the incident became controversial. After this, Grade SI was suspended. No other disciplinary action has been taken against Grade SI TC Shaji in his 35 years of service and has only a few months to retire.