PATHANAMTHITTA: The probe team investigating the spirit smuggling from Travancore Sugars and Chemicals has decided to expand the investigation to more people. The officials of the KAT engineering company in Ernakulam, which has taken over the contract to deliver the spirit to the company, will be questioned today. They will be summoned to the Pulikeezhu police station and questioned.

The police have issued a notice to three officials, including the general manager of the company, to appear before it for questioning. All three, who have been named accused in the case, are absconding. The police had filed an application in the court seeking custody of the remanded accused. According to the accused, the spirit was smuggled several times during the company's contract period.

The incident came to light after the Excise department had found that there was a shortage of 20,000 litres in the spirit brought to Travancore Sugars and Chemicals.