Published Nov 07, 2026 | 3:21 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 07, 2026 | 3:21 PM
Former Excise chief's report on bribe collection
A report by former Excise Commissioner Seeram Sambasiva Rao alleging that two senior officials of the Excise Department collected bribes from bar owners has triggered a fresh political controversy in Keralam, with the CPI(M) state secretary questioning the role of Excise Minister M. Liju and the Minister calling for an investigation into the charges.
The report, submitted to the state government on Friday (November 6), came shortly before Rao was transferred from his post as Excise Commissioner and Special Secretary in the Electronics and Information Technology Department.
He has since been posted as Special Secretary in the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Development Department.
According to the report, Joint Excise Commissioner S. Vinod allegedly had close connections with a bar owner in Muvattupuzha and acted as an intermediary for the establishment in matters concerning licences.
An informant reportedly told the former Commissioner that Vinod had sought a monthly payment of ₹30,000 from the bar owner and received another ₹50,000 for facilitating approvals relating to bar timings and licence extensions.
The report also raised allegations against Alappuzha Deputy Excise Commissioner Ajay.
It cited information that a bar owner, Ratheesh, in Kattachira, Kayamkulam, was allegedly asked to pay ₹30,000 during the officer’s inspection visits.
The report further referred to an alleged payment of ₹20,000 after Onam in connection with the renewal of the bar’s licence in April.
It also noted that the bar owner was acquainted with the Excise Minister.
Rao recommended that both officials be removed from field assignments and shifted to non-sensitive postings, such as the Excise Crime Records Bureau or the Toddy Board.
He also called for a Vigilance investigation into the alleged collection of bribes, monthly payments and possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The report proposed tighter scrutiny of postings involving officials facing allegations of financial misconduct.
It also suggested that appointments and transfers to key positions, including Joint Excise Commissioner, Additional Excise Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, should take into account the assessment of the Excise Commissioner.
The issue took a political turn after CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan alleged that the disclosures pointed to possible links between the alleged corruption network and the Excise Minister.
He demanded that Liju clarify his reported acquaintance with the bar owner mentioned in the report.
Govindan also questioned the circumstances surrounding Rao’s transfer, referring to reports that the former Commissioner left office after surrendering his official vehicle and taking an autorickshaw.
He interpreted the episode as an expression of protest against the manner in which Rao was relieved of his responsibilities.
Claiming that the former Commissioner had identified senior officials allegedly involved in benami dealings and regular collections from bar owners, Govindan said Rao had faced pressure that prevented him from taking action against them.
He maintained that the allegations concerning the Minister’s acquaintances and the officials named in the report required a clear explanation.
Liju, meanwhile, has called for a proper investigation into the allegations, saying the claims should be examined rather than left unaddressed.
He also questioned the timing of the report, remarking that Rao could have submitted it much earlier instead of waiting until shortly before his transfer.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
