Vigilance Raids Expose Widespread Bribery in Kerala Excise During Onam

Thiruvananthapuram: The Vigilance Department had conducted a state-wide flash raids yesterday on September 2, 2025. According to the sources, the dept. had received reports that some Excise officials were taking bribes and gifts during Onam. Based on this, Vigilance launched a flash inspection across the state. The operation was called “Operation Safe Sip”. The flash raids began at 4 PM on Tuesday across 69 Excise Circle Offices in Kerala.

During the inspections, Vigilance teams found widespread corruption and serious lapses in protocol. A total of Rs. 28,164 in unaccounted cash was recovered from various offices, some of which was found abandoned or hidden. Officials had also illegally stored 25 liquor bottles in Excise offices, collected as bribes from bars. In a more serious revelation, preliminary findings confirmed that Rs. 2.12 lakh had been transferred through Google Pay by bar and toddy shop owners to Excise officials.

Excise Circle Inspectors are responsible for ensuring that bars, beer and wine parlours operate within legal limits and follow licensing regulations. However, according to Vigilance, many Excise officers were found actively aiding law violations by accepting monthly bribes and deliberately avoiding inspections. Particularly during the Onam season, the sale of adulterated toddy increases significantly, with toddy shop owners allegedly adding chemicals and engaging in unethical practices. Excise officers reportedly turned a blind eye in exchange for money or liquor.

In Thiruvananthapuram, during the raids, Vigilance found bar staff present inside two Excise offices carrying stock registers, which should have been filled out during inspections at the bar itself. This pointed to a clear breach of procedure, where bar employees were bringing documents to the office for the officers’ signatures after the fact.

In Pathanapuram, Kollam district, an Excise officer had received Rs. 42,000 via Google Pay from a bar owner. In Pathanamthitta, it was found that officers falsely recorded toddy sample collections from multiple shops located more than 20 km apart within ten-minute intervals, clearly indicating fraudulent documentation. Similarly, in Malappuram district, officers issued verification certificates for bar stock deliveries on days when they were actually attending court, with records showing their presence at the warehouse. CCTV footage later confirmed the officers were not present on-site during stock deliveries.

In Vaikom, Kottayam district, Rs. 13,000 was discovered hidden in a toilet inside a cover printed with the name of a private bar hotel. In Palai, another officer was found to have accepted Rs. 11,500 through Google Pay. In Kochi, Vigilance found Rs. 93,000 in an Excise officer’s bank account, allegedly transferred from a person linked to a bar owner.

In Thrissur, an officer had Rs. 2,600 in unaccounted cash on him during the inspection. In Palakkad, verification certificates were issued well in advance of stock deliveries, and officers were found marking themselves present on duty in registers even though CCTV footage showed they were not on site.

In Malappuram, Ponnani’s Excise office had five liquor bottles stored in the office room as bribes. In Perinthalmanna, an officer received Rs. 24,000, and in Manjeri, another received Rs. 34,000 via Google Pay from bar owners. Kozhikode’s Excise office had 16 bottles stored in the office for officials to share, taken as gifts from bars. In Perambra, one officer accepted Rs. 8,000 through Google Pay.

In Wayanad, Vigilance officers found the Kalpetta Excise office locked when they arrived. The Circle Inspector had to be called to open it. At Sultan Bathery, an officer panicked during the inspection and threw Rs. 6,500 in cash, which was later recovered by Vigilance.

In Kasaragod, Rs. 5,000 in unaccounted money was seized from an officer, and Rs. 1,000 more was found hidden inside a shoe in the office. The Vigilance Department stated that many Excise officers had completely failed in their duty to inspect bars and toddy shops. Instead, they were allowing bar owners to continue illegal practices and violating liquor laws in exchange for money or alcohol. Forged records, incomplete registers, and fabricated presence logs were common across multiple offices.

Vigilance Director Shri Manoj Abraham IPS said the department is taking these findings very seriously. He confirmed that further inspections would be conducted in the coming days. The financial records and bank statements of the accused officers will be examined in detail. Legal and departmental action is expected to follow.

The public has been urged to report any information related to Excise corruption to the Vigilance toll-free number 1064, by phone at 85929 00900, or via WhatsApp at 94477 89100.