VACB Uncovers Widespread Violations of Law in Kerala Bars During “Operation Bar Code”

Thiruvananthapuram: Widespread corruption and violations of law were uncovered during surprise inspections conducted by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) at bar hotels and excise circle offices across the state.

The inspections, carried out on Monday under the name “Operation Bar Code,” revealed shocking details of an illicit nexus between government officials and bar owners.

The action was initiated following confidential information that, ahead of New Year celebrations, bars were illegally selling counterfeit liquor known as “seconds” in violation of the Abkari Act. Vigilance officials found that such illegal sales were causing significant financial losses to the state exchequer.

The inspections revealed that some excise officials were accepting monthly bribes and liquor from bar owners in return for shielding them from inspections and legal action.

In one case, a suspicious deposit of 3,51,000 rupees was detected in the UPI account of an excise circle office employee. At a bar in Payyannur, Kannur district, liquor officially allotted through the Beverages Corporation was found stored for unauthorised sale.

The Legal Metrology Department imposed a fine of 25,000 rupees after discovering shortages in the measurements of peg dispensers used in bars. Vigilance officials also found that liquor allotted from the Alappuzha Beverages Warehouse to a bar in Thaikkattussery was being illegally sold at another bar in Kasargod.

The Vigilance Bureau stated that it views seriously the conduct of officials who collude with bar owners and accept illegal gratification. Detailed investigations will continue in the coming days, including scrutiny of bank accounts belonging to the officials involved and their relatives, the bureau said.