Kerala cop suspended for forcing foreigner to dump out liquor he had bought

Thiruvananthapuram: A Kerala cop who forced a Kovalam-based Swedish entrepreneur to dump out liquor he had bought on New Year's Eve has been suspended from service. Video footage of the incident showed the foreigner draining off liquor on to the road on the direction of the police personnel.

Grade Assistant Sub-Inspector Shaji of the Kovalam police station was suspended on the orders of State Police Chief and Director General of Police Anil Kant on Saturday. 

The Swedish national Steven was intercepted by police on a Kovalam road while he was returning from a BEVCO outlet after purchasing three bottles of liquor. Cop Shaji refused to allow him to carry the bottles without a bill and threatened to book him even though he was carrying spirits well within the legal cap. Disappointed, Steven opened two bottles and poured the content on to the pavement.

The police allowed Steven to carry the third bottle only after he went back to the BEVCO outlet and produced the bill.

Steven said he was saddened by the incident. “The police threatened to register a criminal case against me if I failed to produce the bill. I bought the liquor after paying all taxes," Steven told Manorama News. 

“For the past four years I have been running a homestay here. I am running the facility by paying all the taxes. I fail to understand why the police asked to discard the liquor. I don’t want to react to the incident anymore," he said.

Tourism Minister P A Mohammad Riyaz slammed the conduct of the cop. "It is an unfortunate incident. I have brought the matter to the notice of the department head. The department concerned will probe the matter and take necessary action. A change needs to be made in the police system. Those who trying to harm government's interests from within would face strict action," he said.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sought a report on the incident.  

Vaibhav Saxena, the Deputy Commissioner of Police for Thiruvananthapuram City, has sought a report from the Deputy Superintendent of Police of the Special Branch.

A police probe has commenced. 

According to reports, strict action is likely to be taken against those responsible for the incident. 

Steven's ordeal was recorded by an onlooker. The visuals were widely telecast on news channels in Kerala. 

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