Toddy shop owner paid bribes to SP, DySP

TIRUR: In a shocking testimony before the Justice M Rajendran Commission which is investigating the Kuttipuram hooch tragedy case, one of the witnesses has revealed that he had handed over `1 lakh to a contractor for giving it to a Superintended of Police (SP) and DySP.Salish Vijar, who once owned seven toddy shops in Parappanagadi range, also revealed that, of the `1 lakh, `75,000 was meant for the SP. The amount was in addition to the regular  ‘gifts’.However, he added that he was not sure whether the money reached the officers.He also told Rajendran Commission that the toddy shop owners who refused to give money were trapped by the officials by fabricating cases.The witness revealed the he had borne the fuel and house maintenance expenses of many excise officials. He said some officials also used to ask for money. The monthly tip from a toddy shop owner to an Excise Deputy Commissioner was `500 while an Assistant Excise Commissioner received `400.