Toddy shop staffer held for serving liquor to students

Kochi: The excise officials in Kothamangalam on Tuesday arrested a toddy shop employee who allegedly served toddy to minor students. The action was taken after a video, in which a group of students wearing uniform were seen coming out of a toddy shop at Kothamangalam, went viral on the social media. Binsu Kuriakose of Vadattupara is the arrested. According to the officials, he had given a statement that a group of students came to have food at the shop and some of them drank toddy. The officials are yet to identify the students or the institution they study. A case has been registered against the accused under Abkari Act and he was released on bail. The officials also found that the board stating ‘toddy shop’ at the restaurant was not as per the rules. The licensee Velayudhan has been booked in this regard. tnn