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The government, as part of its new liquor policy in 2014, had prepared a set of criteria for closing down State-run liquor shops in a phased manner to further its stated objective of imposing total prohibition in 10 years.
Norms ignored
The Vigilance said Mr. Babu had ignored the norms and overruled the list prepared by the Kerala State Beverages Corporation and Consumerfed and closed down State-run outlets as he thought fit. The State government had also restricted bar licences to five-star hotels and clubs and resolved not to sanction new permits.
However, Mr. Babu “deviated” from the government’s stated liquor policy and “abused his official position with dishonest intention” to grant beer parlour licences to bar owners who had lost their liquor permits. The suspect presented the plan before the Cabinet as an out-of-agenda item in violation of Rules of Business.
A quick verification (QV) “revealed prima facie evidence of criminal misconduct by Mr. Babu.”
On questioning, Mr. Babu could not offer “satisfactory explanation or justification for the misdeeds and actions revealed in the inquiry.”
Detailed investigation
Only a detailed investigation would reveal the “hotel owners and agents” who “hatched the criminal conspiracy” with Mr. Babu, the agency told the court.
