THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Kerala Police special team will
probe
allegations of
bar bribery
centred on a
audio leak about hotel owners allegedly being asked to “pool money for a favourable
liquor policy
“.
The leak purportedly links Animon alias Jayakrishnan, the Idukki district prez of the Federation of Kerala Hotels Association. The allegation surfaced amidst reports that the Left govt was favourably considering the bar owners’ main demands to lift the dry day on the first of every month and to open pubs in IT parks.
However, with the controversy triggering a
political storm
, it is now learnt that govt might reconsider the move.
The probe followed a complaint by excise minister MB Rajesh to the state police chief, which was then handed over to the
crime branch
ADGP on Friday. The crime branch team from the Thiruvananthapuram unit will first conduct a preliminary investigation without registering a case. A case will be registered only if sufficient evidence is found.
Currently, the crime branch team has been tasked with determining whether any fund mobilisation occurred among the bar owners, as alleged by the WhatsApp voice note. The team will investigate the purpose of the fund collection and who directed it. The team is expected to meet Animon within a day or two.
In the voice note, Animon is purportedly heard asking members to contribute Rs 2.5 lakh each, claiming govt will soon announce a liquor policy scrapping the dry day norm and revising bar hotel timings. The excise minister insisted the state govt had not yet held any deliberations on its liquor policy and that it is only in its preliminary stage. It is learnt that govt decided to initiate a quick crime branch probe as the assembly is being convened next month.
