Five Kerala Excise officials were suspended for taking a bribe of Rs 2 lakh to release smuggled gold. Earlier, smugglers had brought gold from Karnataka and were caught while trying to slip through the Muthanga checkpost. Muthanga inter-State check-post is in Wayanad on the Kerala-Karnataka border.
Those suspended include Excise Inspector P A Joseph, Preventive Officers Johnny and Chandu, and Civil Excise Officers Sasikumar and Pramod. The action was initiated by the Excise Commissioner based on a report by Excise Intelligence. Top Excise officers received complaints from several people against these five accused checkpost officials.
On the evening of the 20th of this month, this excise team found the gold brought without documents through the Muthanga checkpost. The officers were on routine duty when they chanced upon the smugglers. They returned 750 grams of gold and refused to part with the rest.
In the investigation conducted based on the complaint, it was found that Inspector Joseph bargained with the owner of the gold. He later released the 250 grams of gold seized after accepting two lakh rupees in bribes.
Based on the allegation, these bribe-taking officers were earlier transferred from Muthanga to different places. They were suspended after the investigation report was submitted.
It was reported that the gold was smuggled for the Kannur-based mafia. The representative of the Wayanad local government was the first to contact the excise officials after learning about the incident. A statement has been taken from him. Suspiciously, officials are yet to reveal the identity of the alleged kingpin.
According to the Prevention of Corruption Act, it was a criminal act by the Excise officials. According to the investigation report, Inspector Joseph’s actions did not befit his rank. The report added that all five people are equally involved in the bribery case, and a proper investigation should be done into the matter.
It is indicated that the accused officials who faced the action will approach the court. The officials complained that the suspension was taken unilaterally without any evidence. There have been similar incidents at the Muthanga check post before this. Excise officers who seized hawala money without following proper norms last year were suspended.
It is alleged that corruption runs deep in the Kerala Excise Department. Suspension is just an eyewash since corrupt officers receive their basic pay even while on suspension. Once the controversy subsides, these officers are absorbed back into service. They continue to fleece smugglers, traders, truck drivers and the common man.
