{
  "id": 4448861,
  "title": "Excise officials, including Deputy Commissioner, suspended over bribery charges",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/excise-officials-including-deputy-commissioner-suspended-over-bribery",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-30T15:19:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/excise-officials-including-deputy-commissioner-suspended-over-bribery-charges/article71408173.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Six Excise officials, including Deputy Commissioner S. Asoka Kumar, were suspended in Kottayam district following allegations of receiving cash, liquor, and other benefits from licensed bars. The investigation, known as \"Operation Bijapur,\" was initiated by Excise Commissioner Seeram Sambasiva Rao after receiving complaints through WhatsApp about illegal liquor sales and potential misconduct within the enforcement system. Minor penalty proceedings were also initiated against Changanassery Excise Range Inspector Adarsh G.L. for alleged supervisory lapses. During the investigation, CCTV footage was found showing Excise personnel visiting bars during specific times, and the bar owner confirmed payments to intermediaries, including the Deputy Excise Commissioner, to avoid problems with Excise permissions. The Deputy Commissioner's denial and subsequent admission of arranging for phone wiping were noted as aggravating factors in the inquiry report.",
  "summary": "Action taken after Excise Commissioner Seeram Sambasiva Rao launched ‘Operation Bijapur’ to verify the veracity of allegations raised against officials.",
  "key_points": [
    "Six Excise officials, including Deputy Commissioner Asoka Kumar, suspended over bribery allegations.",
    "Operation Bijapur initiated by Excise Commissioner Seeram Sambasiva Rao.",
    "CCTV footage showed Excise personnel visiting bars during specific times."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}