Kerala - Thrissur   

`File appeal in abkari case'

Staff Reporter

Acquittals by fast-track court

THRISSUR: The Kerala Prohibition Council has appealed to Excise Minister P.K. Gurudasan to initiate steps to file appeals against the recent fast track court orders acquitting the accused in abkari cases in the district.

In a statement here, council president K.K. Rahulan and secretary Eyyachery Kunhikrishnan alleged that it was the `manipulations' by the officials at various levels that led to the acquittal of the accused in these cases.

According to the council, the cases were filed following raids conducted on the toddy godowns and shops of prominent abkari contractors at Anthikkad in July and September 1997.

Toddy samples collected during these raids were tested at reputed Government laboratories. The tests had proved that the toddy samples contained hazardous chemicals including diazepam, phenobarbitone and ethyl alcohol, the statement said.

Now the fast track court acquitted the accused in some cases relating to those raids on `technical grounds'.

The Minister should take urgent steps to file appeals in those cases, as the High Court itself has emphasised the need for averting situations whereby the accused in toddy adulteration cases are not let off on silly grounds, the council office-bearers demanded.

`Take action'

They demanded that action must be taken against those officials who were responsible for the acquittal of the accused in such a clear-cut case.

They said these cases had a special significance in the wake of reports that illicit liquor and spirit were flowing to Kerala through different means including sea route.

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