Three more illegal bars sealed in Kancheepuram

With the help of the district police, the officials detained two men working in these bars and seized liquor bottles worth more than Rs 1 lakh from them during the operation.

On Friday morning, a team led by Tasmac Kancheepuram district south division manager Manimaran sealed the three bars functioning in Walajabad, Chengalpattu and Chengalpattu Taluk. Tasmac officials said two employees were detained and were later handed over to the Prohibition and Excise Wing (PEW) of the State police.

The officials are searching for the one staff who escaped from the spot and further inquiry is on.

The crackdown against such illegal bars, most of which are operated by local politicians in connivance with the police, PEW and Tasmac officials, started after an illegal bar agent named Nellaiyappan (38), a native of Tirunelveli, set himself ablaze in front of Mahabalipuram DSP office in May. The man alleged that the DSP and the inspector demanded huge sum as bribe.

Nellaiyappan, who recorded a video before committing suicide, alleged that Mahabalipuram inspector Kannan was collecting huge amounts of money from him as bribe, besides asking him to supply groceries every week. He had also said that DSP Suburaj was also collecting money from him. Following that incident, the DSP and Mahabalipuram inspector were sent to Vacancy Reserve (VR).

After the incident created a row, the officials from Prohibition and Excise Wing, Directorate of Vigilance & Anti-Corruption and senior officials from Tasmac began inspecting all Tasmac retail shops in the district. Several illegal bars operated in the southern suburbs were sealed during the drive.