Excise clears MLA's son in cannabis case

The Excise Department has removed Kanivu, son of Kayamkulam MLA U Prathibha, from the list of accused in a cannabis possession case, citing insufficient evidence. An interim report submitted to the Alappuzha Excise Court has excluded Kanivu and six others from the original list of nine accused individuals. The department now asserts that only two of the initially implicated individuals are actually involved in the case.
The case originated on December 28, 2024, when the Kuttanad Excise team detained nine individuals, including Kanivu, in Thakazhi, Alappuzha district. Three grams of cannabis were seized during the operation. The group was charged with public consumption and possession of cannabis and subsequently released on bail.
Following the incident, MLA U Prathibha publicly denied the allegations against her son, stating that he was merely questioned while sitting with friends and was not found in possession of any contraband. She criticized the media for disseminating misleading reports and filed complaints with the Chief Minister and the Minister in charge of the department. Subsequent investigations involved recording statements from officials and the MLA herself. Open URL