‘Bar Bribery’ Allegations After WhatsApp Audio Leak Triggers Political Storm In Kerala

A special team from Kerala Police will investigate bar bribery allegations stemming from a leaked WhatsApp audio, which suggests hotel owners were asked to “pool money for a favorable liquor policy.”

The leak allegedly involves Animon, also known as Jayakrishnan, the Idukki district president of the Federation of Kerala Hotels Association. This allegation arises as reports indicate the Left government was considering key demands from bar owners, such as removing the dry day on the first of each month and opening pubs in IT parks. However, due to the ensuing political controversy, the government may now reconsider these changes.

The investigation was prompted by a complaint from excise minister MB Rajesh to the state police chief, which was then assigned to the crime branch ADGP on Friday. The Thiruvananthapuram crime branch unit will first conduct a preliminary inquiry without filing a case, proceeding to register one only if sufficient evidence is found.

Currently, the crime branch team is tasked with determining whether any fund mobilization among the bar owners occurred, as alleged in the WhatsApp voice note. The investigation will focus on the purpose of the fund collection and who orchestrated it. The team is expected to meet with Animon within a day or two.

In the voice note, Animon is allegedly heard asking members to contribute Rs 2.5 lakh each, claiming the government would soon announce a liquor policy removing the dry day norm and revising bar hotel timings. The excise minister reiterated that the state government had not yet deliberated on its liquor policy and that it remains in its preliminary stages. The government decided to initiate a swift crime branch investigation as the assembly is set to convene next month.