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The KBHA and the former Minister’s office functioned as a mafia. Mr. Babu wrested the authority to issue new licences from the Excise Commissioner to facilitate corruption.
He periodically threatened to hike license fees and further reduce bar timings to extort money from hoteliers. Government-run liquor outlets were selectively closed to help bars owned by his nominees. Mr. Babu said that Mr. Radhakrishnan was being spiteful to him for not clearing his bar licence. The allegations against him were all false. He had a good track record to show. There were no liquor deaths and consumption had come down.
