PATHANAMTHITTA: The person who illegally sold liquor at Sabarimala Sannidhanam has been arrested. Biju (51), an employee of Shasta Hotel operating in Sannidhanam, was arrested. Four and a half litres of foreign liquor was seized from him. The arrested Biju hails from Kilikollur, Kollam. The intelligence department has assessed that alcohol reaching Sannidhanam is a serious security breach. It has been found that liquor is being sold at Sannidhanam for a long time.

Shasta Hotel is located near Sannidhanam NSS Building. Biju, a native of Kollam Kilikollur Randamkutty, was arrested this evening by the police near the Hotel where he was working.

Sabarimala Sannidhanam and localities are completely alcohol-free zones. Devotees are allowed here only after strict checks but alcohol is widely available. The intelligence agency has reported that this information is very alarming. The move is to strengthen the inspection in the coming days.

Last week, action was taken against many establishments in Sabarimala for selling goods by cheating on their weight. The Legal Metrology Department had registered 181 cases of irregularities such as charging more than the fixed price, giving goods underweight and charging excessive rates. A fine of Rs 10.87 lakh was also levied. The irregularity was found in the inspections conducted by various squads focusing on Sannidhanam, Pampa, Nilakkal and Outer Pampa after the start of the Sabarimala Mandala period.