Alappuzha: In a new development, the Excise Department has removed the name of MLA U Pratibha's son from the list of accused in cannabis possession case. An interim report was submitted to the court, excluding three to nine persons who had initially been included in the accused list. The Excise now claims that only three of the originally listed are actually involved in the case.

The department is expected to file a charge-sheet soon, citing that the excluded individuals had no role in the incident.

On December 28, the Kuttanad Excise team had detained nine individuals from Thakazhi, including the MLA's son. Three grams of cannabis were seized from them. They were charged with public consumption and possession of cannabis.

Following the incident, U Pratibha took to social media stating that misleading reports were being circulated, and later submitted complaints to the Chief Minister and the Minister in charge of the department. As part of the subsequent inquiry, statements were recorded from officials as well as the MLA.