Two excise staffers, a Special Task Force inspector and a subinspector, have reportedly confessed that they did receive bribes from the liquor syndicate but attempted to bail out deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Balakanth Reddy and other senior officers of the excise establishment.

The two staffers, Special Task Force inspector K Siva Prasad and excise subinspector Ch Balanarasimha, were caught by the AntiCorruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly being on the take of the liquor mafia and Balakanth Reddy was transferred from his post. The duo reportedly took the rap upon themselves and said their higherups were squeaky clean.

Siva Prasad and Balanarasimha reportedly confessed to ACB sleuths that they went to liquor traders' offices to collect money as part of a regular exercise but did not kick back the proceeds to any higherup. However, they reportedly spilled the beans on some local politicians, liquor syndicate members and journalists who are part of the mafia. As part of their effort to unearth the tentacles of the liquor syndicate, a special team of senior ACB officials reportedly recovered important files and documents - relating to the auction of liquor vends, grant of licences to liquor retailers-from the Prohibition and Excise office on Monday. They are also said to sniffing for some leads to big fish who have their hands in the till, despite their exoneration by the arrested duo.

In particular, the anticorruption watchdog is poring over files relating to the period 20102012 apart from recording oral testimony by higher officials.

Excise officials are said to have submitted a comprehensive report to ACB with the recommendation they initiate action against excise officers found involved with the liquor mafia.