Scientists Turn to Satellite Technology to Monitor Fish Populations Amid Ocean Changes
An international symposium in Kochi will explore how satellite technology can help monitor fish populations and marine ecosystems. Scientists Turn to Satellite Technology to Monitor Fish Populations Amid Ocean Changes
Jantar Mantar@Kochi event on November 7
Jantar Mantar@Kochi event on November 7
Services of 29 contract staff at Ernakulam Government Medical College terminated
The employees, aged 60 and above, were asked to discontinue service from November. They alleged that they had been treated unfairly and their services terminated without proper notice.
Satellites to help track fish as oceans change
Digital Desk | Kochi, Nov 2 (IANS) Satellites could help scientists track where fish are moving as oceans change, offering valuable information to fishing communities and helping protect marine resources. This will be among the key subjects at an international symposium beginning here on Wednesday. Scientists from over 30 countries will discuss how satellite technology and climate research can help understand changes in the oceans and their impact on fisheries. The three-day TREVOR-SAFARI symposium at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) will focus on the use of modern technology to monitor marine ecosystems. Satellite data can help track changes in sea temperature, ocean productivity and fish distribution, and this information can help identify potential fishing zones and enable fishermen to plan their trips better. The meeting will also examine how climate change, shifting monsoon patterns, and extreme weather events affect fish populations and marine life. Changes in ocean conditions and water quality can affect fish availability and threaten the livelihoods of coastal communities. Scientists will discuss ways to make fisheries more sustainable and protect marine biodiversity. They will also explore how traditional knowledge of fishing communities can be combined with modern science. The role of women and marginalised communities in the fisheries sector will also come up for discussion. A special session supported by the Department of Biotechnology will examine how remote sensing can help monitor the health of aquatic ecosystems. It will follow the One Health approach, which links environmental health with human and animal health. The discussions primarily focus on better understanding of ocean conditions and improved environmental monitoring to ensure safer fishing, sustainable resources, seafood security and the long-term well-being of coastal livelihoods, CMFRI Director Dr Grinson George said. More than 80 foreign delegates are expected to attend the three-day symposium, jointly organised by the Department of Chemical Oceanography of Cochin University of Science and Technology, the Trevor Platt Science Foundation, the CMFRI, and the Marine Biological Association of India. The event will also see the launch of the Bay of Bengal Network of Ocean Researchers for Fisheries (BOB-NOR) to promote cooperation among scientists in the region.
124 case properties, including Rado watch, stolen from Ernakulam court
Digital Desk | Kochi, Nov 2 (IANS) In a serious security lapse, 124 articles, including a Rado wristwatch, kept as case properties, have gone missing from the district court in Kerala's Ernakulam. The missing articles were properties seized in various criminal cases and kept under the custody of the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-II. The police have registered a case following a complaint lodged by the Junior Superintendent of the court. The theft came to light after the articles kept in the court's custody were found missing. The missing properties relate to cases registered and handled between 2016 and 2026. They include 124 items, with the Rado watch among the articles reported stolen. The police have begun an investigation into the incident. The immediate task before the investigators is to establish when the articles went missing and how they were removed from the court's custody. The theft has raised serious questions about the safety of material evidence kept in court premises. Case properties are articles seized by the police during investigations and produced before courts as evidence. They are required to be preserved until the completion of the legal proceedings and dealt with in accordance with court orders. Such articles can be important in establishing the facts of a criminal case. Their disappearance could also create complications when courts require them for examination or production during trial. The police are expected to examine the records relating to the missing articles and the circumstances under which they were kept in the court. The investigation will also have to establish whether the theft took place in one instance or over a period of time. The incident assumes significance as the missing articles were not ordinary belongings but properties connected with criminal cases pending or dealt with by the court. Further details, including the exact nature and value of all the missing articles and the period during which the theft took place, are awaited.
SSUS Syndicate decides on conditional withdrawal of suspension of 12 SFI activists
The revocation of their suspension will be subject to the submission of an unconditional apology stating that they will not breach the disciplinary norms in the future.
Two SFI activists suspended over alleged disruption of convocation ceremony at Maharajas College
SFI alleges that the chairperson and vice-chairperson of the college union were suspended for asking the Higher Education Minister legitimate questions about the suspension of 16 students at the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady.
Fresh charge against Kerala judge in underaged sons Mercedes accident case
Digital Desk | Kochi, Nov 2 (IANS) The Kerala Police have added a fresh charge against a judge in the Cheranelloor Mercedes-Benz accident case in which his 17-year-old son knocked down and killed a scooterist. The police have added Section 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with causing the disappearance of evidence of an offence. The development comes after the family of the victim, roadside eatery owner Jayabalakrishnan, 55, alleged that attempts were made to destroy evidence after the accident. The investigation was recently transferred to the Crime Branch on the directions of Kochi City Police Commissioner R. Nishanthini. Meanwhile, the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court has ordered that further proceedings in the case will be held in camera. The court took the decision in view of the nature of the case and the need to protect the proceedings and evidence. The prosecution and the victim's family have also differed over the conduct of the case. The family had sought the removal of the public prosecutor, alleging lapses in the prosecution. The prosecution, in turn, accused the family of not cooperating with the proceedings and of giving misleading information to the media. The court told the family that any complaint against the public prosecutor should be brought before it through the proper procedure. The case relates to an accident in which a Mercedes-Benz car hit the scooter on Container Road, killing Jayabalakrishnan. The car was driven by a judges 17-year-old son. The latest developments come amid the family's demand for a fair investigation. The Crime Branch is now probing the case. Following the accident, there has been a stream of high-profile visitors to the victims home, including Chief Minister V.D.Satheesan, his predecessor Pinarayi Vijayan, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, and numerous others.
Kochi Merc Crash: In-camera Hearings To Be Held On Appeals Against Bail Granted To Minor Accused
The 17-year-old accused, the son of an additional district judge, was driving a Mercedes-Benz when he hit a two-wheeler in Kochis Cheranalloor in the early hours of October 25, killing scooterist Jayablakrishnan, who owned a roadside eatery
Dad Couldnt Play For India, He Sees That Dream In Me, Says GGs Newest Recruit Samaira Raghav
Against South Delhi Superstarz: Samaira Raghav was not supposed to be watching the Womens Premier League (WPL) auction. Her parents had asked her to stay away from seeing live feed of the auction proceedings happening in Kochi last week. They feared the weight of hope would be too much for a 16-year-old to carry, in case she doesn't find any takers. A day before the auction, Samaira was one of four late entries that took the WPL 2027 auction pool from 146 to 150 players. She learnt about it from an Instagram story, and then from her mother. My mom quickly messaged me that, I think you are in the auction list now, Samaira recalled in an exclusive conversation with IANS on Monday. Five minutes before her name came up, she switched the feed on anyway at her hotel room in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, where she is currently playing the U19 Womens T20 Challengers tournament, with her Team D room-mate. Then I saw my name and the Gujarat Giants paddle go up and I was just ecstatic. Both of us screamed at the top of our lungs in the hotel room. Then after that, it was just surreal, she added. Gujarat Giants bought her at her base price of 10 lakh rupees. But for Samaira, it was the first public validation of a dream which began taking shape nine years ago. Born on January 23, 2010, Samairas tryst with sports began with 100m and 200m sprints. But my dad wanted me to try other sports as well because I was very sporty ever since I was young. At seven, her father Sunil Raghav took her to a cricket academy. The first session featured fielding, and it won over Samaira. I just enjoyed it so much. After that day, I just kept going to the academy with my own free will. My dad kind of pushed me into cricket. But from there, I just took over. Sunil played as a leg-spinner until college, before committing to studies, including pursuing an MBA from IIM Calcutta. Sunil later went on to scale technologies at Dow Chemicals, Dr Reddys Laboratories and Total (Arkema Global) in USA and India. I think it was his wish for himself to play cricket at India level. But he could not fulfill it. So, he kind of sees it in me now and I am working on it, said Samaira. Samairas mother, Puja Jain, spent a decade at McKinsey & Company. She rose to partner and co-led its sustainability practice, as well as holds two US patents from research at Penn State University and Dow Chemicals. Today the couple run ElementRe, which specialises in end-to-end lithium-ion battery recycling solutions. While Puja is the CEO, Sunil acts as CTO. In cricket, Samaira started out mainly as a batter. During the Covid-19 lockdown, batting was impossible in their housing society in Gurugram, so Sunil got time to develop her leg-spin skills. We would just go down in our society and I would start bowling. He taught me the basics and from there, I kind of picked up my bowling skills from my dad. As Samaira grew, Sunil stepped back. When I was a bit younger, I wasn't that independent. But after a few years, he let me be independent. I would go and come back by metro. Since then, he has been around. But he just leaves me on his own now. Samaira now trains under Dipti Dhyani, currently the head coach of Delhi's senior women's team, at the City Cricket Academy in Hauz Khas, which is affiliated to the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) and plays under the name Sonnet. It was there that her role changed. As a child she opened the batting. But playing alongside the seniors, Samaira was pushed down the order. Her coaches had one piece of advice: if she gets batting late, she needs to hit sixes. They told me that I should probably develop the skill to hit sixes. So, from there, we started working on it. After that, I would just go and finish matches and everything. I would not feel that much pressure while doing it. That is why I just picked it from there and I really enjoy it, she said. She also saw where womens cricket was rapidly going more towards power-hitting and six-hitting skills. In the earlier days, there was more of grounded cricket. But now, the game has changed. The formats have become shorter and everybody is focussing more on power hitting in sixes. I also thought I would also learn and go with whatever trend is going on. Then, I know it will help me in the future as well if I am hitting sixes. Her role models are two of India's best-known finishers: former captain MS Dhoni and wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh. Obviously, there is MSD. Richa Ghosh now, she is really amazing, said Samaira. The work showed this year in the Women's Delhi Premier League (DPL), where Samaira played for North Delhi Strikers. Against South Delhi Superstarz, Samairas 32 off 26 balls, with two fours and a six, helped her side win by two runs. Against East Delhi Riders, she made an unbeaten 34 off 21 balls and won the game with a six off the penultimate delivery. We took it till the end (against East Delhi). I just thought that I can't really lose from this point. I have to win this. I have come so far in this match. At that ball, I think our bowlers started coming in as batters. There were no more batters that could hit sixes. So, at that ball, I thought we needed a boundary anyhow. Then, I would go for a six only because if I ran a single, then we would probably lose the match. Its because the last batter would not be able to hit a six. After that, I just went for it. Thankfully, it connected and then went for a six, she recalled. The pattern has led to Samaira being in good form. Playing for Delhi in the Under-19 Women's T20 Trophy, she scored 162 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 216. She was out only three times, while averaging 54, and hitting 14 fours and 12 sixes. In the Under-19 Women's T20 Challenger Trophy, against Team A, Team D side was reeling at 27/3 after eight overs. Samaira came in and hit 78 off 44 balls, hitting six fours and as many sixes, and carried them to 137/6. Against Team B, chasing at more than 10 runs an over, she made an unbeaten 24 off 12 balls, with two fours and as many sixes. In between, Samaira found time to attend two WPL trials - for Mumbai Indians in Mumbai and for Gujarat Giants in Bengaluru. offered only an open net session. Bengaluru was different. At Mumbai Indians, we had an open net session. I could not really get a chance to talk to the coaches. Gujarat Giants, however, they really took notice of me and my six-hitting abilities there in the camp. All of them gave me really positive feedback and a few points to work on which I am working on now. They also took notice of my bowling there. So, the bowling coach, PT, Pravin (Tambe) sir, he really saw that I could also bowl and I had good potential to be a bowler as well. That's why I think now they've picked me. But it was amazing to be part of that camp, she said. Her fielding skills too were noticed by GG coaching staff. We just had one match simulation. I think I stopped one or two boundaries. I don't know if it was that noticeable, but I gave my 100 percent. People who watched her over two days of trials said she struck the ball as hard as anyone present, and that her fielding stood out as compared to other players. Samaira credits the DDCA, and its president Rohan Jaitley, for helping women players get a noticeable platform via DPL. I have been so grateful to DDCA, honestly. They have given us so many opportunities for youngsters to showcase their talent. Now WPL scouts are coming in to watch our games and then kids are getting selected. This time, I think 4-5 people from Delhi are in the WPL. It really makes a difference. So, I am really grateful to DDCA. Rohan Jaitley sir has made so many efforts for women to also be at the same level as men. Like, giving them the same opportunities, playing in the same field and I am really grateful to them. They have actually given us so much exposure. She knows how quickly praise can unsettle a young player. I always think about my roots and where I have come from and where I am now. It really humbles me a lot. I think about those low times that I had when nobody was there except my family and my coaches. It really just makes me feel so much gratitude for everybody who has been there. Her parents, she says, are proud but rarely show it. I think its because they don't show it to me because then they think that I will be really happy about it and not focus on other things. So, they just want to keep me grounded. That's why they just act normal. When nerves build, she dabbles in painting and drawing. Music calms her too - before every match, the last song she hears before stepping off the bus and playing a game has to be 52 Bars by Punjabi singer Karan Aujla. The pure wisdom in young blood reflects in Samairas Instagram bio: Love to play cricket. Beneath it sits a line from the legendary Rahul Dravid You dont play for revenge but play for respect and pride. Samairas next test may pull her away from the WPL, if she is picked for the Under-19 World Cup. But Samaira does not see a conflict, as it will be the first step towards fulfilling her fathers dream. If I also get to be in the U19 World Cup squad, it would actually be so amazing. I feel like I have a duty to my country if I get selected in the U19 World Cup. But right now, all I am thinking about is I just keep performing wherever I go and God will look after the rest. Samairas next test may pull her away from the WPL, if she is picked for the Under-19 World Cup. But Samaira does not see a conflict, as it will be the first step towards fulfilling her fathers dream. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Police launch probe into alleged theft of evidence in 124 cases from Magistrate court in Kochi
Alleged theft took place from the courts evidence room between January 1, 2016 and September 21, 2026, according to FIR
Varsity had suspended 16 students in connection with protest led by SFI to press various demands while a meeting of Syndicate was under way on August 13
Cheranalloor luxury car crash case: High drama marks hearing on plea to cancel teen drivers bail
Prosecution and counsel for victims family trade charges. Court says further proceedings to be held in-camera in the afternoon, considering involvement of a child in conflict with law
Mohanlal says #L368's shooting is in progress
Digital Desk | Chennai, Nov 2 (IANS) Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, who plays the lead in director Anoop Sathyan's eagerly awaited next film, on Monday confirmed that regular shooting for the film had now begun. Mohanlal took to his social media timelines to confirm the development. He wrote, #L368 Shoot in progress...#AnoopSathyan #BinuGeorgeAlexander #AntonyPerumbavoor. For the unaware, the film had gone on floors in Kochi with a pooja ceremony that was attended by a number of celebrities including the entire crew of the film. The film, which is yet-to-be-titled and which is tentatively being referred to as #L368, was officially launched with the mother of producer Binu George Alexander lighting the traditional lamp. Mohanlal himself clapped the clapboard for the first symbolic shot of the film, much to the delight of the dignitaries present at the event. Sources say that the upcoming film, which will be director Anoop Sathyan's second film after 'Varane Avashyamund', will be a comedy action entertainer and that it will also feature actor Mukesh in a pivotal role. The makers had released the first look poster of the film on the occasion. It showed Mohanlal seated next to a little girl, sporting a smile even as another little child leaning on his back, with a paper toy in her hand. Mohanlal, during his address on the occasion, had expressed happiness about participating in the inaugural function. In particular, he told the film's director Anoop Sathyan that he had a deep and long association with his father, ace director Sathyan Anthikad. Mohanlal pointed out that he was someone who had worked with Sathyan Anthikad from his first film to his latest film. It is like a wonderful journey and I am happy to continue it with his son, Mohanlal said and wished that this film emerge as a good film. There are all indications that it will emerge as a good film, Mohanlal added. The film boasts of a fine technical team. Written and directed by Anoop Sathyan, the film will have cinematography by Shehnad Jalal. Music for the film is to be scored by Jakes Bejoy. Art direction will be by Prasanth Madhav and stunts will be choreographed by Stunt Silva.
800 houses in Division 59 of Kochi Corporation to get sewerage connection by December
Half of the houses in the division will be connected to the new STP, which is expected to cover around 1,800 households
Thammanam-Pullepady road project gets a fresh push
11(1) notification for land acquisition published; final survey to determine land required from each plot, followed by demarcation of boundaries and assessment of building values
Cheranalloor accident: petition by victims daughter alleges judge tampered with evidence
In her petition, she has alleged that the Additional District Judge, who owned the car, destroyed evidence at the accident spot and tried to deflect the probe
Digi Yatra International Trials Begin At 7 Airports
The trials are being conducted at Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Chennai and Amritsar airports.
CJI Surya Kant calls for introspection on need to improve responsiveness of judicial process
Kochi, Nov 1: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant on Sunday called for introspection on whether there is room to improve the responsiveness of the judicial process in view of the growing tendency among litigants to move the Supreme Court for urgent listing or early hearing of matters pending before the High Courts. CJI Kant said that the apex court has as consistently respected the institutional autonomy of High Courts, including their authority to regulate their own rosters, but the frequency of such requests invites us to consider whether there is room to improve the responsiveness of our processes. We must ask ourselves -- can urgent matters be identified more effectively? Can listing procedures be made more transparent and predictable? Can technology assist in prioritising cases where delay may cause irreversible prejudice? And can we ensure that a litigants access to timely justice does not depend upon their ability to travel to the national capital? were queries he posed during his inaugural address on the occasion of the platinum jubilee anniversary celebrations of the Kerala High Court here. Justice Kant said that constitutional justice in India does not begin and end in New Delhi as its strength lies in a robust network of 25 constitutional High Courts spread across the country, each entrusted with the duty of protecting rights and upholding the rule of law. He said that the High Courts remain closely connected to the everyday realities of the people as they understand the language of local grievances, the circumstances of regional communities, and the practical consequences of governmental action. He further said that under Article 226 of the Constitution, the High Courts have a wide canvas o fashion meaningful remedies across diverse legal, statutory, administrative and contractual disputes. Equally important is their power to grant timely interim protection. Sometimes, the difference between justice and injustice lies not in the final judgment, but in whether the court intervenes when intervention is most needed, the CJI said in his address. Referring to the Kerala High Court's seven decade long history, Justice Kant said that the High Court and the state of Keralam were both formed in 1956 and their journey during the last 70 years was closely intertwined with each other. He said that the court played a vital role in the state's constitutional development. Through its decisions, it has helped translate constitutional principles into lived realities, ensuring that the rights and liberties of citizens remain protected and that public power is exercised within the bounds of law, the CJI said. He said that the Kerala HC's history did not begin with the formation of the state, rather it inherited a centuries old ich judicial tradition from the regions that now constitute Keralam. From the early courts of Travancore and Cochin, to the establishment of the Travancore High Court in 1887 and the Travancore-Cochin High Court in 1949, each successive institution contributed to the foundations upon which the present Court was built, Justice Kant said. He said that the progressive spirit of the High Court was evident in its constitutional jurisprudence. Whether through its extensive engagement with doctrines of environmental protection, or its invocation of fundamental rights to safeguard life and personal liberty, this High Court has repeatedly demonstrated that constitutional promises must find expression in everyday realities, he said. The CJI said that one example of this was the High Court's 1999 order prohibiting smoking in public places, the first constitutional court to do so across the world. It was a remarkable instance of constitutional foresight, where the Court did not wait for society to catch up with the law, but used the law to show society the way forward, he said. He said that Keralam has long demonstrated that progress is sustained through the combined strength of education, social awareness and public participation. Justice Kant said that just like Keralam's backwaters, where countless streams and waterways ultimately sustain one interconnected ecosystem, the constitutional courts in India too must retain their individual authority while working in harmony towards a shared purpose.
Man Arrested for Murdering Mother in Kochi
According to police, the accused, Kannan, allegedly frequently quarrelled with and physically assaulted his mother whenever she refused to give him money for purchasing alcohol
Chief Minister said a tripartite agreement has been reached between the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India and the Puducherry government in September to improve air connectivity from the Puducherry Airport
SIFL Ex-Officials Jailed In Ordnance Factory Corruption Case
A court in Kochi sentenced two former officials of Steel and Industrial Forgings Ltd (SIFL) to three years' rigorous imprisonment and imposed fines in a corruption case. The case involved manipulating a tender for battle tank components for the Ordnance Factory, Medak, leading to a wrongful loss of Rs 78 lakh to the government. Another company, AMW-MGM Forgings Pvt Ltd, was also fined, while three other accused, including a former General Manager, were acquitted.
Cheranalloor crash: court orders production of case diary on November 2
The Leader of the Opposition argues the 4,896 acres acquired at a reported 12,240 crore, approved during the LDF era, was a natural extension of a two-decade process and part of plans for the Kannur International Airport and the Kochi-Bengaluru industrial corridor.
Kerala court raps police over social media posts revealing minor's identity in hit-and-run case
Digital Desk | Kochi, Oct 31 (IANS) A Kerala sessions court on Saturday questioned the police for failing to act against social media posts revealing the identity of the 17-year-old boy accused in the Mercedes-Benz accident that killed a 55-year-old scooterist in Kochi last week. Ernakulam Additional District and Sessions Judge Kavitha Gangadharan directed the cyber police to submit a report on the action taken against such social media posts. The court also expressed serious doubts about the investigation and sought the case diary before deciding whether to cancel the bail granted to the teenager. I will pass an order directing the cyber police to take down every social media account and post that is revealing the identity of the child in conflict with law. This is a sessions court and a children's court. Why does the cyber police exist? How can this be allowed? the judge asked. The court directed the investigating officer to appear with the case diary on November 2. The prosecution and the family of the deceased have approached the sessions court seeking cancellation of the bail granted to the boy by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) on October 26. The teenager, son of an additional district judge, was allegedly driving a Mercedes-Benz car when it hit a scooter on Container Road at Cheranalloor in the early hours of October 25. The rider, Jayabalakrishnan, 55, died in the accident. The police initially booked the boy for rash driving and causing death by negligence and released him on station bail. Following protests by the victim's family and local residents, more serious charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, were added. His father was also named as a co-accused. During Saturday's hearing, the judge questioned why the police wanted the teenager's bail cancelled in the name of investigation. She asked what further evidence required his custody and why the investigating officer had not approached the JJB for permission to conduct a custodial interview, if necessary. The judge said she wanted to examine the investigation records and hear the investigating officer before taking a decision on the bail cancellation pleas. The case will be heard again on Monday. On Saturday, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan visited the home of the deceased.
Keralam Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday visited the residence of 55-year-old Jayabalakrishnan, who died in a road accident in Cheranalloor in Kochi, and called for appropriate changes in the law to ensure that influential and wealthy individuals do not escape accountability by using legal privileges. Speaking to reporters after meeting the bereaved family, Vijayan said the family was confused and anxious about the government's stance on the issue and whether justice would be delivered. He also said the incident had been discussed during the legislative assembly session. The victim's family was totally confused about the government's stance on this issue. This issue was even a matter of discussion at the legislative assembly session. The family was anxious about whether justice would be delivered. Family members and Public consciousness believe that a culprit is being favoured because of his underage privilege, he said. Family members told me that the law should cha...
Chennithala Visits Jayabalakrishnans Family, Assures Justice
Chennithala, accompanied by Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden, MLA T J Vinod and Kochi City Police Commissioner R Nishanthini, visited Jayabalakrishnan's house and interacted with his family members
Mammootty becomes Kerala Police
Mammootty becomes Kerala Polices Cyber Security Captain Kochi: Malayalam superstar Mammootty has been named Kerala Polices Cyber Security Captain as the state steps up efforts to combat the growing threat of cybercrimes through a new community-based initiative. Announcing the appointment at a function held at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium here on Saturday, Home Minister [] The post Mammootty becomes Kerala Polices Cyber Security Captain appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
ED identifies Rs 5 cr properties in Hyderabad linked to cyber fraud
Hyderabad: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has identified plots and villas worth around Rs 5 crore in Hyderabad allegedly acquired using proceeds of a cyber fraud in which a Kerala-based complainant was cheated of more than Rs 24.76 crore. The EDs Kochi Zonal Office conducted searches at three premises linked to Allamraju Satyanarayana Murthy in Hyderabad Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Premium hotel in Kochi booked for unauthorised DJ party, liquor sale beyond permitted hours
Customers present at the bar during the search operation were reportedly let off after being examined
Keralam Chief Minister calls for protecting Vembanad lake system
Probe into synagogue arson in Keralams Kochi intensified: Chennithala
R. Nishanthini takes charge as District Police Chief (Kochi City)
She is the first woman to hold the post of District Police Chief (Kochi City). She was Inspector General of Police, South Zone, before replacing S. Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar as District Police Chief
Maharajas College witnesses high drama as SFI activists question Minister Roji amid convocation meet
SFI activists allegedly disrupted the meet soon after the Minister completed his inaugural address seeking answers from him about the suspension of 16 students of Sanskrit varsity, Kalady
Kerala PSC exam scam: Suspended Additional Secretary Hari arrested
Digital Desk | Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 30 (IANS) The Crime Branch's Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the alleged Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) examination scam, on Friday, arrested its Additional Secretary R. Hari, who had been absconding since his suspension earlier this week after being named an accused in the case. Hari, who was in charge of the examination wing of the PSC, was taken into custody from a relative's house in Kochi on Friday night. He had gone into hiding after the PSC suspended him on Monday following his arraignment as an accused by the SIT. His arrest marks a significant development in the investigation into alleged manipulation of a PSC examination, which has raised questions about the functioning of the constitutional recruitment body. The case relates to the examination conducted for the post of Chief, Industry and Infrastructure Division, in the Kerala State Planning Board. The alleged irregularities came to light after a candidate secured a copy of his evaluated answer script under the Right to Information Act, following a prolonged legal battle. The SIT had earlier made its first arrest in the case by taking into custody the PSC's former Deputy Secretary P. Satheesh, who was in charge of the on-screen marking system used to evaluate the answer scripts for the Planning Board recruitment examination. Satheesh, who retired around 18 months ago, was subsequently named as an accused in the case. The state government has also frozen his pension benefits following his arraignment. Hari and Satheesh were both named as accused by the SIT, with the former continuing in service until his suspension on Monday. The alleged examination malpractice has triggered wider concerns over the transparency and integrity of recruitment examinations conducted by the PSC. The disclosure of the irregularities through an RTI application has also brought renewed scrutiny on the internal examination and evaluation mechanisms of the commission. The PSC Chairman, Dr M.R. Baiju, was grilled by the SIT earlier, and Hari is known to be his trusted aide.
WPL 2027 Auction: Full List of 25 Sold Players, Teams and Prices; Sophie Molineux Gets 1.10 Crore
WPL 2027 Auction Results: The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 mini-auction concluded in Kochi, Kerala, on October 28, 2026, with all five franchises strengthening their squads ahead of the upcoming season.Australian all-rounder Sophie Molineux emerged as the most expensive player at the auction af...
Accused in drug case, absconding for two years, held from Kullu in Himachal Pradesh
The accused had been on the run since the seizure of 316 grams of suspected MDMA and 420 grams of suspected ganja from a car at Athani in June, 2024,say police
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday emphasised that books are not merely sources of information but powerful instruments of transforming lives, broadening perspectives and inspiring positive change in society. He observed that while technology has made information readily accessible, true knowledge and wisdom come from books and life experiences. Stressing that there is no substitute for books, he said that reading not only enriches individuals but also cultivates curiosity, sensitivity and the ability to understand life from different perspectives. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 29th Kochi International Book Festival in Kochi, Birla emphasised the importance of cultivating reading habits and inspiring others to read. He observed that books preserve generations of wisdom and experience, inspire and guide individuals and foster discipline, determination and a sense of purpose. Drawing a distinction between information and knowledge, Birla observed that digital technology has...
Nedumbassery luxury car crash: first and third accused seek bail in Kerala High Court
Court seeks States response to the bail applications. Accused say their continued detention would affect their education and that they would fulfil any bail conditions necessary to ensure their continued cooperation
No Pressure From Judge in Cheranalloor Merc Crash Probe; Outgoing Kochi Commissioner
CM Satheesan visits crash victim's family, assures justice
Hyderabad: ED searches three premises in cyber fraud case
Digital Desk | Kochi, Oct 30 (IANS) In a crackdown against cyber fraud, the ED collected digital evidence and seized Rs 6.40 lakh in cash and froze 11 bank accounts with a balance of Rs 14 lakh during search operations at three premises in Hyderabad, an official said on Friday. The Directorate of Enforcement, Kochi Zonal Office, conducted searches in Hyderabad on October 28, 2026, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The searches were at the premises related to Allamraju Satyanarayana Murthy and were conducted in connection with a cyber fraud case registered at Ernakulam, the official said in a statement. The ED investigation was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by the Cyber Police Station, Ernakulam. As per the FIR, the complaint was lodged by Nimesh alleging that he was induced by the accused through telephonic communications and chat messages using the Telegram app to make investments by promising high returns, the ED said. It was represented to the complainant that he would secure high returns by trading through the website www.capitalix.com, it said. Accordingly, the accused deceived the complainant into transferring an aggregate sum of Rs 24,76 crore in several instalments to various bank accounts maintained by or under the control of the accused, it said. Thereafter, the accused failed to return either the assured profits or the principal sum so received, thereby committing cheating and criminal breach of trust, causing wrongful loss to the complainant, it said. The investigation revealed that the complainant was cheated of Rs 26.02 crore during the period from May 23, 2023, to May 27, 2024. After receiving the money, the accused transferred it to various mule accounts operated by them, the ED said. The layering was done deliberately to avoid detection of the source of funds. Investigation revealed that one Allamraju Satyanarayana Murthy floated several entities in the name of his family members and employees from which funds were layered, it said. These entities included BTR Industries, Velugu Trading Company, Aasritha Mega Solutions Pvt Ltd., Aasritha Infra Projects and Aasritha Infra Projects Pvt Ltd, it said. The ED said a Villa Project in Hyderabad was launched in the name of Aasritha Infra Projects and Aasritha Infra Projects Pvt Ltd. The accused has acquired multiple immovable properties from the Proceeds of Crime, the ED said. During the search, incriminating evidence in the form of documents and digital evidence was seized. The ED said it also identified immovable properties, plots and a villa, valued at about Rs 5 crore.
Key Accused In Major Drug Bust Apprehended
Ragesh, alias Jumanji, the prime accused in a significant 2024 drug trafficking case in Athani, Kochi, has been arrested in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. He had been evading authorities for nearly two years after the seizure of MDMA, LSD stamps, and ganja. Police disguised as tourists apprehended him.
A caf in Keralas Fort Kochi found itself at the centre of a controversy after vlogger Amrit Singh Darren posted a video questioning the display of an artwork featuring Pakistans founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah alongside Mahatma Gandhi, as well as the cafs beef dishes. The installation at Kashi Art Caf, titled Blood Brothers: Two Fathers [] The post Riyas Komu: The Man Behind The Jinnah Portrait Who Faced #MeToo Allegations And Questions Over Kochi Biennales Finances appeared first on The Commune .
TradeForge glitches disrupt Kochi tea auctions; buyers seek Tea Board intervention
Pending delivery orders and disrupted transactions have affected small buyers, while subdued participation in the latest sale has weakened prices
CM Satheesan visits family of man killed in car crash, assures support in legal battle
Digital Desk | Kochi, Oct 30 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Friday visited the family of Jayabalakrishnan, who was killed after a Mercedes-Benz car allegedly driven by a 17-year-old boy rammed into his scooter at Cheranelloor near Kochi, and assured them of the government's full support in their fight for justice. During the meeting, the family handed over a complaint alleging that the father of the accused teenager, an Additional District Judge, had attempted to destroy crucial evidence after the accident. The Chief Minister visited the bereaved family at their residence, consoled them and offered all possible assistance. He assured them that the government would stand with them throughout the legal battle and also reviewed the progress of the case. The family alleged that the judge and his family had reached the accident spot in another vehicle soon after the crash and that CCTV footage from the neighbourhood would establish this. They claimed that the judge's early arrival was intended to destroy evidence. Jayabalakrishnan's daughter, Bhadrakeerthi, later told the media that the family had shared its concerns and the difficulties it faced in pursuing the case. She also said that Advocate Sreejith would continue to represent the family and that they would decide on their future course of action after the court's decision. Meanwhile, an Ernakulam sessions court on Friday took exception to the disclosure of the minor accused's identity in two petitions seeking cancellation of his bail, one filed by the state government and the other by the victim's family. Additional District and Sessions Judge Kavitha Gangadharan said revealing the full name and residential address of a child in conflict with law violated the Juvenile Justice Act. The court said it was also duty-bound to protect the minor's identity and directed both sides to correct the cause titles by replacing his name with an anonymised designation. The court ordered the prosecution and the family's counsel to ensure that no identifying details of the teenager were disclosed in the proceedings. The matter will be heard again on Saturday. The teenager had earlier been granted bail by the Juvenile Justice Board. Investigators are meanwhile trying to retrieve deleted data from his mobile phone, which has been sent for forensic examination. The police suspect that information from his social media accounts, including Instagram, was deleted. The investigation has found that the Mercedes was travelling at over 104 kmph when the accident occurred. Police have also registered a case against the judge, the registered owner of the vehicle, under the Motor Vehicles Act for allegedly allowing his minor son to drive. Incidentally, the Kerala High Court on Thursday stayed the arrest of the Additional District Judge who was booked as the second accused in the case.
A consumer commission in Kerala has directed Air India Express to pay Rs 70,000 to a woman and her three-year-old son after they were denied boarding on a confirmed Kochi-Abu Dhabi flight in 2021. The airline must also refund Rs 20,287 with 9% interest after the passengers were forced to buy fresh tickets to Sharjah.
She Will Be The Talk Of The Town: Why Indian Cricket Is Excited About Uma Kashvi
On Wednesday evening, Sai Satya Vijay sat alone in a hotel room in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, with his eyes firmly fixed on the WPL auction happening in Kochi for next year's season
Sai Satya Vijay: On Wednesday evening, Sai Satya Vijay sat alone in a hotel room in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, with his eyes firmly fixed on the WPL auction happening in Kochi for next years season. His niece, Uma Kashvi, was in another hotel across town, with her teammates for the Under-19 Challenger Trophy, set to begin at the Luhnu Cricket Ground on Friday. Back home in Bengaluru, Kashvi's parents Vijitha and Praveen Kumar were watching the same auction feed. When Kashvis name came up, number 68 on the auction list, Delhi Capitals opened the bidding at her base price of Rs 10 lakh. No other franchise bid against them, as at 15 years and 202 days, Kashvi became the youngest player ever signed at a WPL auction and surpassed Haryana batter Deeya Yadav, who set the record last year at 16. I cried for like two, three minutes. It was a moment you were waiting for, Vijay told IANS in a free-wheeling conversation. Kashvis record signing shows how far down the search for talent in Indian womens cricket now reaches. Her journey to that record-breaking WPL deal is the story of a village firmly behind her: a family that split its home in two, parents who stepped down the corporate ladder, and an uncle who gave his niece the cricketing life he never had. Vijay grew up in Andhra Pradesh and played district-level cricket that, he says, cannot be even counted. There was no infrastructure and no support system. He fought his parents to keep playing, but eventually gave up to go into the IT world. The game, though, never left him. Every April 24, he cuts a cake for Sachin Tendulkars birthday and visit a temple wearing new clothes, a ritual he followed for a long time. He has kept photographs of all 100 of the legendary batters international centuries. I cant say I am a fan. I am a devotee of Sachin Tendulkar, he said. He helped raise Kashvi, born on April 9, 2011, a week after Tendulkar finally laid his hands on the ODI World Cup trophy at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Vijay observed that Kashvi was a sporty child who grasped things quickly, whether in classroom or on the field. In 2019, he took her to an academy near the family home when she was seven and a half years. A young kid does not have the strength to hit fours and sixes, so he and another coach worked on two things: fitness and technique. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Kashvis days began at 5:30am with fitness work, before leaving for school. Evenings were group sessions of learning the nuances of the game and about 30 overs of side-arm throwdowns from Vijay with semi-soft balls. She used to get one body blow per day, for sure, he said. Her mother found the daily bruises hard to look at, but Kashvi came home happy anyway. When the pandemic shut schools, Vijay used the empty nets of an academy to sharpen Kashvis technique. The pull shot became her signature stroke. I used to tell her, you are a female Rohit Sharma same pull shot, he said. With few girls matches around, Kashvi played with older boys. At nine, she usually batted at number 11, bowled two overs in a 50-over game and fielded or kept wicket. Most of her first 100 matches went that way. The break came through Shantha Rangaswamy, Indias first womens Test captain, who brought Kashvi into the India Nippon Cup, where each side mixed four India internationals with local players. At nine, Kashvi shared a dressing room with Veda Krishnamurthy, Jemimah Rodrigues, her WPL skipper at DC, Deepti Sharma and Shreyanka Patil. Arjun Dev, now her coach at NICE Academy in Bengaluru, recalled wanting to know about the child who took Shreyankas place in the playing eleven. I was obviously livid. What is an eight- or nine-year-old doing, firstly playing in this tournament and then taking Shreys spot? he recalled to IANS. Then he watched her play and felt she was indeed very talented. Everyone knew that she had the talent, she had the skill. Kashvi won the Young Talent Award in that competition and Vijay says, ex-India skipper Mithali Raj walked beside her until she left the ground and passed on top about how to grow as a player. Jemimah took to Kashvi, then a bubbly child, and in later years spent a few minutes giving her advice whenever they met. As a nine-year-old kid, she was good enough to play in the seniors category. But then BCCI rules said anyone below 13 cannot be a part of it, said Shantha. Vijay says Shantha let Kashvi play senior zonal probables matches at nine but would not select her. He recalls her saying, I cannot put her into the senior team, even though she has the skill, because of the age. It will backfire. Former India player Veda Krishnamurthy also picked Kashvi as wicketkeeper for her club side, and Vijay says the nine-year-old made an unbeaten 185 in a senior league match. At 12, she struck an unbeaten 217 in a junior inter-school tournament in Bengaluru. But Vijay feared for Kashvi going behind the stumps. When MS Dhoni came, there were a lot of wicketkeepers who lost their careers, he said. He then taught her off-spin. It meant she would be more involved in the game, and became an all-rounder who can be a keeper when asked. Kashvis career rests on a careful division of labour between Vijay and her parents. Her mother, Vijitha, a senior manager who has spent more than 17 years at a multinational firm, turned down promotions requiring more travel. Her father, Praveen Kumar, who studied for a masters degree in the USA, left salaried work about five years ago to start his own company so he could be available. Vijay stepped down a position and now works a few hours a day as a consultant. As Kashvi approached adolescence, Vijay requested Vijitha to travel with her for matches. A day after her birthday, Kashvi got her first period at a ground, dressed in whites for a red-ball match. Vijitha quickly went out and bought sanitary pads. There was no washroom, so Kashvi changed behind some bushes, then played and scored runs. From that day, Vijitha has majorly worked from the grounds and attending meetings online via Microsoft Teams, including on the day Kashvi made her India Under-19 debut against Sri Lanka in Chennai earlier this year. For two and a half years, the family has lived apart. Their home is in Bellandur, in Bengalurus south-east region, while NICE Academy is near the Kempegowda airport. Vijay and Kashvi live near the academy, and her parents visit at weekends. It is very, very tough. As a family, you dont stay together, said Vijay. Moving out was not an option for her parents. We are not from a rich family background. We need to work for our bread, he said. They have not had a holiday in three years. Their only trips are temple pilgrimages. Vijay, who is unmarried, says he does not plan to marry. For me, Kash is priority number one. School, too, has bent around the game. In Class eight, Kashvi attended for 21 days. The school agreed she would come only for exams. She now studies through open schooling and is due to sit her Class 10 exams in March, though tournaments have left little time for books. When the auction news spread, Vijithas managers in the US told her to take two days off and celebrate. At a time when industry layoffs are aplenty due to pivot towards AI, Vijay said, that support matters. Kashvi joined NICE at 13 and Dev now counts her among his closest friends. For a 15-year-old, the maturity level that she shows is unbelievable. She also understands my jokes very quickly. He says there is little to fix technically. The work is about belief. I think she undervalues her talent and ability a little bit. Our job has honestly been to push her out of her comfort zone. He had long urged her to bowl her off-spin with a more attacking field, five fielders on the leg side instead of four. She kept saying she was not ready. At an Under-19 game, she was still using the safer setting. In the next match, she switched. She was so happy and said, Yeah, I could bowl with it, said Dev. Dev saw a captain early. Under her leadership, her club side won all 11 tournaments it entered. She has always been our first-choice captain, he said, adding he would pick her ahead of senior players because it makes my life easy. She has captained Karnatakas Under-15 side and led Bengaluru Blasters in the Maharani Trophy, the states womens T20 competition, and scored 48 off 42 balls against Mysore Warriors in the 2025 edition. In the 2025/26 Under-15 One-Day Trophy, she was the leading run-scorer, with 516 runs at an average of 172, including three centuries. Against Manipur in Kolkata in January, she hit an unbeaten 158 off 66 balls, with 23 fours and seven sixes, as Karnataka won by 275 runs. She also played in Karnatakas Under-19 T20 side and in the one-day team that reached the semifinals, before getting India Under-19 call-up against Sri Lanka in June and July. She took four wickets in three T20s and two in two one-day games. On October 22, in the Under-19 T20 quarterfinal against Vidarbha, she took 3-18 as Karnataka defended 140 to win by six runs, and was named player of the match. Vijay has deliberately not rushed her. Last season, with continuous cricket leaving her with wrist pain, he was wary of an early senior debut. If you jump the guns and try to take a faster, steep step, and if you fail there, the fall will be very bad, he said. Dev is blunter. After the Under-19 tournament, he gave her a dressing-down, wanting quicker scoring and more intent from the start. Its just not good enough, he recalled telling her. Is she ready to set the WPL on fire, provided she is not picked for next years U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh and Nepal? I dont know. Maybe, maybe not. Time will tell. If she doesnt (become a remarkable cricketer), then the failure is on us as much. She has the raw material (to be one). Dev stated that Kashvis WPL signing left everyone surprised. After Kashvis signing was sealed, Shreyanka was the first to call Vijay, who was in tears. Jemimah texted him welcome home with a blue heart and a red heart, the franchises colours. Years earlier, she had sent Kashvi a birthday video hoping they would one day share Indias colours. Later, on a call with Kashvi, she teased the Bengaluru teenager: Are you sad that you did not go to RCB? She also told her DCs scouts had been following her for some time. Vijay had hoped for Delhi because of how it has groomed young players such as Niki Prasad and Sree Charani mentally, physically, as well as your game-wise. Shantha calls Kashvi a batting all-rounder with great fielding ability. I have seen her take one catch and it looked like she was floating in the air, she said. Shanthas one worry is fitness as Kashvi grows. Otherwise, she says, for her age, she is too mature, and I think she has a very sane head on her shoulders. Shantha also has a message for cricket fans eager to see Kashvi in action. People who havent watched her, please hold your breath. I can assure you she will be the talk of the town in the days and years to come. Vijay says Kashvi models herself on all-rounders such as Ashleigh Gardner and Hayley Matthews to become a player the depends on with bat and ball for winning games. Shanthas one worry is fitness as Kashvi grows. Otherwise, she says, for her age, she is too mature, and I think she has a very sane head on her shoulders. Shantha also has a message for cricket fans eager to see Kashvi in action. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Article Source: IANS
Kerala High Court Directs Police Not To Arrest Judge Reno Francis Xavier, Named Accused In Son
The Kerala High Court on Thursday (October 30) directed the police not to arrest an Additional District and Sessions Judge Reno Francis Xavier in connection with a fatal road accident involving his 17-year-old son, in which a scooterist was killed in Cheranalloor, Kochi, as reported in Verdictum. Justice Kauser Edappagath passed the order after hearing [] The post Kerala High Court Directs Police Not To Arrest Judge Reno Francis Xavier, Named Accused In Sons Mercedes Crash That Killed 55-Year-Old Scooterist appeared first on The Commune .
What does the law say about offences caused by underage drivers? | Explained
Section 4 of the the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 specifies that no person under the age of eighteen years shall drive a motor vehicle in any public place. However, a person can drive a motorcycle without gears and with an engine capacity not exceeding 50cc after attaining 16 years.
Kochi Crash Case: Judge Gets Anticipatory Bail | Top News Of October 29, 2026
The Kerala High Court has granted anticipatory bail to the judge booked in connection with the Kochi Mercedes crash that killed a 55-year-old street vendor. The judges 17-year-old son allegedly drove the car involved in the collision. The victims family has expressed disappointment, alleging unequal treatment, while Keralas Home Minister has told NDTV that the police will approach a higher court to seek cancellation of the bail and pursue further action. NDTVs exclusive conversations with the victims daughter and Keralas Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala examine the familys fight for justice, the investigation and the questions surrounding accountability in the case.
Court directive to add to Kochi Corporations Brahmapuram biomining costs
Corporation will have to biomine an additional 1.26 lakh tonnes of scientifically capped legacy waste; civic body had agreed to pay 1,672 per tonne to biomine 1.96 lakh tonnes at a cost of 37 crore
Kochi Mercedes Crash: Kerala High Court Grants Anticipatory Bail To Judge, Questions Need For Arrest
The Kerala High Court has granted anticipatory bail to the Kochi judge booked under the Motor Vehicles Act in connection with a fatal Mercedes-Benz crash allegedly involving his 17-year-old son. The crash killed a 55-year-old street food vendor riding a scooter. While granting bail, the court questioned the need to arrest the judge after four hours of questioning, noting that he had agreed to cooperate with the investigation.
Disciplined spending, targeted picks defined GGs 2027 WPL auction: Adesara
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) Keeping a tight rein on their purse allowed the Gujarat Giants to focus on fulfilling their remaining specific needs at the 2027 Womens Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction, said Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer of Adani Sportsline. With 15 players already retained, the most retained by any team, and only three slots to fill, GG spent a combined Rs 80 lakh at the auction held in Kochi on Wednesday. GG acquired the services of young India wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini for Rs 40 lakh, Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast for Rs 30 lakh and 16-year-old Delhi all-rounder Samaira Raghav for Rs 10 lakh. The 2027 WPL season will be played from January 14 to February 7, with venues yet to be known. From a business perspective, we are pleased with how the auction unfolded. We entered with a clear understanding of our requirements, having retained a strong core of 15 players, and our focus was on making targeted additions rather than making changes for the sake of it. We were able to secure players who address specific squad requirements while remaining disciplined with our purse. Kamalini strengthens our batting options, Orla brings valuable all-round ability, and Samaira adds exciting potential in the middle order. For us, a successful auction is not just about how much you spend but about how effectively you use your resources to build a balanced and competitive squad, Adesara told IANS in an exclusive conversation on Thursday. GG, who finished second in the group stage of WPL 2026 before losing to Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator, have relied on a stable core. Adesara, however, said continuity was not a fixed rule, and the franchise would make big changes when needed, especially with a mega auction likely to happen in 2028. Continuity is an important part of our approach, although we would not view it as a rigid model. We believe in backing players, building combinations over time and creating an environment in which individuals can grow together as a team. The performances last season gave us confidence in the core we had assembled, and the auction was an opportunity to address specific gaps and add depth. At the same time, we remain open to making significant changes when the circumstances and team requirements call for them. Our decisions will be guided by what gives Gujarat Giants the best chance of competing consistently, rather than by a preference for either continuity or spending, added Adesara. He further pointed out that the signings of Kamalini and Samaira also fitted the franchises long-term goal of developing young Indian womens cricketers. Identifying and nurturing young Indian talent has always been an important part of our philosophy at Adani. The WPL provides a valuable platform for emerging players to develop alongside experienced international and Indian cricketers, and we want Gujarat Giants to be an environment where that growth is encouraged. Players such as Kashvee Gautam, Anushka Sharma and Happy Kumari reflect the potential of our scouting programme, and we see Samaira and Kamalini as exciting additions to that wider vision. For us, it is also about giving young players the right opportunities to contribute and grow in their respective journeys. As the women's game continues to grow in India, we want to play a meaningful role in discovering talent, supporting its development and strengthening the domestic talent pool, concluded Adesara.
WPL: 'Picking players at base price shows how hard our scouts work, says Jhulan Goswami
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) Mumbai Indians bowling coach and mentor Jhulan Goswami has credited the franchises scouting team for identifying emerging talent after they signed six uncapped Indian players at the Womens Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction, saying the process of tracking potential recruits continues throughout the year. Mumbai Indians entered Wednesdays auction in Kochi with the lowest purse of Rs 90 lakh and completed their squad by signing six uncapped players, including Shweta Sehrawat, Disha Kasat, Latika Inamdar, Bharti Rawal, Saanika Chalke and Akshita Bhagat. Whatever players we picked at their base price this time, they have that ability, and they have been performing quite well consistently for their state teams. Picking several players at base prices shows how hard our scouting team is working. And scouting is a round-the-clock process since you have to follow matches, irrespective of whether they are happening in India or outside India. And because of them, it becomes easy for us when we come to the auction table, knowing who our targets are, Jhulan told Jio Star. She also highlighted the importance of assessing a players mentality alongside performances while selecting talent for the franchise. Our job as a coach is to look at young players who score runs on a regular basis in domestic cricket, take wickets, bat at a good strike rate, and win matches for their team. The most important thing is: do they have that winning mindset? Because performances can be up and down, but you must have that mindset with which you can take the team ahead and make the team win, she said. Delhi-based Shweta, who was retained by UP Warriorz in 2026, attracted a bidding contest between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals before being signed by MI for Rs 20 lakh, double her base price. Jhulan said the Mumbai Indians had made a strong effort to sign India batter Kiran Navgire but had to withdraw from the bidding after reaching their financial limit. We tried our best and went as far as we could for Kiran Navgire, but unfortunately, we didnt get her. And thats how the auction dynamics work. She is an impactful player. So, we definitely expected quite a few teams to go after her. But at the same time, we had other options. Thankfully, we got most of the players we wanted. So, yeah, the auction was very good, and we are all very happy, she said. Mumbai Indians made an early bid for Navgire but pulled out at Rs 70 lakh, with Delhi Capitals eventually signing the batter for Rs 75 lakh. Jhulan added that the franchise managed to secure almost all its preferred targets despite the limited budget, with Shweta being the exception among its Indian domestic recruits in terms of price expectations. I think, more or less, 95 to 97 per cent of the players we had targeted, we got them, except Kiran Navgire. We didnt get her. But we knew it was going to be a challenge. We didnt have the budget to go further than what we did. But all the other Indian domestic players that we had targeted, we more or less got all of them at their best prices, except Shweta Sehrawat. So, yeah, we are very happy with the auction, she said. We came into this auction with the lowest purse of Rs 90 lakhs, so we had to plan and prepare, keeping that challenge and accordingly different options in mind. And when you face challenging situations, your best performance comes out, both on the cricket field and off the field, Jhulan added. The 2027 WPL season is scheduled to be played from January 14 to February 7, with venues yet to be announced.
Cheranalloor luxury car crash: judge appears before SIT for second day of questioning
Maintaining that he had no knowledge of the vehicle being removed from his apartment premises, the officer reportedly told investigators that his visit to the police station immediately after the accident was in his capacity as a parent and not as a judicial officer
Kerala HC stays arrest of judge whose teen son was involved in fatal car crash
Digital Desk | Kochi, Oct 29 (IANS) The Kerala High Court on Thursday stayed the arrest of an Additional District Judge booked as the second accused in the Cheranelloor road accident case, in which his 17-year-old son allegedly drove a Mercedes-Benz car that killed a scooter rider. Justice Kauser Edappagath passed the interim order on an anticipatory bail petition filed by the judge, who is posted at the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal in Irinjalakuda, Thrissur district. The court directed the police not to arrest the judge until further orders and asked him to appear before the investigating officer. It also directed that his interrogation be conducted in accordance with Supreme Court guidelines. Questioning the need for custodial interrogation, the court asked the investigating team why the judge had to be arrested when he was cooperating with the probe. What was the need to interrogate him for four hours, and now for further interrogation? Why is his arrest required? He is a judicial officer. He will cooperate with the investigation, the court observed. Senior advocate P. Vijaya Bhanu, appearing for the judge, told the court that his client had appeared before the police on Wednesday and had been questioned for over four hours. However, counsel representing the legal heirs of the victim opposed the plea, alleging that the judge had tampered with evidence after being informed of the accident. The court said it had to proceed strictly in accordance with the law while granting interim protection from arrest. It also sought the state's response to the plea. The accident occurred around 2.20 a.m. on October 25 on Container Road at Cheranelloor, near Kochi, when the Mercedes-Benz allegedly driven by the teenager rammed into a scooter ridden by Jayabalakrishnan, 55, who died at the spot. In his petition, the judge claimed that he was asleep at home and had no knowledge that the car had been taken out. He said he learnt of the incident only when he received a telephone call informing him that his minor son had taken the vehicle without his knowledge and met with the accident. The FIR invokes Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder, along with provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, including Section 199A, which deals with offences committed by juveniles and the liability of guardians or vehicle owners. The Juvenile Justice Board had granted bail to the boy on October 26. The state government's plea seeking cancellation of his bail is pending before a sessions court.
Kochi Mercedes Hit-And-Run Case | Thani Jailbreak | TVK Functionary Arrested
From anticipatory bail for a former judge in his son's hit-and-run case to a dramatic jailbreak in Theni, the arrest of a TVK functionary on sexual assault allegations, and fresh twists in the 100-crore school approvals bribery case, a series of high-profile developments have reignited the debate over justice, accountability, and governance in Tamil Nadu.
Kerala HC Stays Arrest of Judge After Son
The Kerala High Court on Thursday granted anticipatory bail to an Additional District Judge whose minor son was involved in a fatal car crash in Kochi. The 17-year-old boy, driving a Mercedes-Benz, collided with a two-wheeler earlier this week, resulting in the death of the scooter rider. Justice Kauser Edappagath ordered a stay on the [] The post Kerala HC Stays Arrest of Judge After Sons Mercedes Kills Scooter Rider appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
'He Was Questioned For 4 Hours': Kerala Judge Gets Pre-Arrest Bail In Mercedes Crash Case
The judge has been made an accused in the case where a Mercedes car allegedly driven by his 17-year-old son hit and killed a scooterist at Cheranalloor in Kochi.
Kerala Judge named accused in sons fatal Mercedes crash gets anticipatory bail
The Kerala High Court provided interim protection from arrest to an additional district judge involved in a fatal accident. His 17-year-old son allegedly drove a car during the incident in Kochi. The police interrogated the judge for several hours before issuing further notice for questioning. The judges' conduct has been questioned, leading the victim's family to seek an inquiry.
Legal proceedings intensified over a fatal traffic accident in Cheranalloor suburb of Kochi involving an additional district judge's son, as victims' representatives have moved to challenge the bail granted to the 17-year-old, Advocate Sreejith said. The case stems from a road accident in Kochi that killed a 55-year-old involving the teenager, who is the son of an additional district judge. Speaking to reporters here, Advocate MG Sreejith detailed the legal steps taken to challenge the bail granted to a 17-year-old judicial officer's son in connection with a fatal road accident in Cheranalloor. Detailing the legal steps taken after a magistrate court initially granted relief, Sreejith explained that bail had been issued against an appeal filed by the state, prompting affected parties to file an impleading application to aid the prosecution in cancelling the order. Bail had been granted by the magistrate court, against which the state filed an appeal. And we have a right to approach th...
Protruding posts, ad boards choke Kochi junctions, endanger commuters
Bus shelters and bunk shops occupying footpaths force pedestrians to walk along the road; the Corporation has promised follow-up action on complaints, while a 1.50-crore project aims to decongest Vyttila Junction
Kochi residents flag worsening air quality, especially at night
MLA seeks Chief Ministers intervention, citing health risks from air pollution. Pollution control board unable to gather real-time AQI data as Vyttila, Kaloor stations remain non-functional
WPL 2027 auction: DC have strengthened an already strong squad, says coach Batty on auction strategy
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) Delhi Capitals strengthened their squad for the upcoming Womens Premier League (WPL) 2027 season, securing four players, including Indian player Kiran Navgire, in the player auction in Kochi on Wednesday, with head coach Jonathan Batty claiming they have strengthened an already strong side. With a strong core of 13 retained players, the franchise added explosive Indian batter Navgire, promising 15-year-old all-rounder Uma Kashvi, Indian all-rounder Nazma Khan and Scotland spinner Kirstie Gordon to complete their 17-member squad. Delhi Capitals spent 1.05 crore at the auction, taking their total squad expenditure to 14.95 crore, including 13.9 crore spent on retentions. Navgire was the franchises marquee acquisition at 75 lakh, while Kashvi, Khan and Gordon were secured for 10 lakh each. Speaking after the auction, the teams Head Coach Jonathan Batty expressed satisfaction with the franchises acquisitions, highlighting the additional firepower in the batting department, the depth of the squad and the potential of its newest young recruit. Kiran was a high-value target for us. Shes probably the most dynamic and powerful batter in the auction. With Shafali at the top of the order and power further down the lineup with players like Chinelle Henry, Kiran gives us another dimension to consider in our batting order. It has the potential to make our batting lineup absolutely staggering, Batty said. One of Delhi Capitals most exciting acquisitions was Uma Kashvi, the 15-year-old Karnataka all-rounder who became the youngest player to be sold in WPL auction history. A right-arm spin-bowling all-rounder, Kashvi has represented India Under-19 in a series against Sri Lanka Under-19, gaining valuable exposure to the international junior circuit at an early stage of her career. Batty credited the franchises scouting network for tracking Kashvis progress and emphasised that her signing was a long-term investment in her development. Shes been on our radar for a little while. Our scouts have watched her play extensively and shared some incredible feedback, and Ive seen her play as well. We believe she could become an absolute superstar in the future. At 15, she is very much a work in progress, and were not expecting her to be the finished article just yet. This is a long-term project for Delhi Capitals, he said. Its a wonderful opportunity for her to be part of this setup, learn from our top coaches and work alongside international stars. Hopefully, shell learn a huge amount from the players around her. This is the first step on a journey that we hope will lead to Indian recognition in the future, and were excited to see her progress, Batty added. Delhi Capitals retained a formidable core ahead of the auction, featuring captain Jemimah Rodrigues, explosive opener Shafali Verma, experienced all-rounders Marizanne Kapp and Annabel Sutherland, and South African batter Laura Wolvaardt. The retained group also includes Chinelle Henry, N. Shree Charani and several promising Indian players, giving the coaching staff a strong foundation to build on. Reflecting on the overall squad composition, Batty said the new additions had further strengthened both the starting eleven and the teams bench strength. Going into the auction, we already had a really strong group of 13 players. Our starting lineup was very strong even before the auction, and I think we have strengthened it further. We now have the potential to improve both our starting eleven and our squad depth. It is going to give me some selection headaches as a coach, which is a really good thing. Thats exactly what we want difficult decisions because we have the strongest squad possible, he said. Concluding his assessment of the auction, Batty said, We are really happy with how things went. There were lots of different dynamics at play, but I think it went as well as we could have hoped. Delhi Capitals full squad for WPL 2027 Retained players: Jemimah Rodrigues 2.20 crore Shafali Verma 2.20 crore Marizanne Kapp 2.20 crore Annabel Sutherland 2.20 crore Chinelle Henry 1.30 crore N. Shree Charani 1.30 crore Laura Wolvaardt 1.10 crore Niki Prasad 50 lakh Minnu Mani 40 lakh Nandani Sharma 20 lakh Deeya Yadav 10 lakh Mamatha Madiwala 10 lakh Lucy Hamilton 10 lakh Players acquired at the WPL 2027 auction: Kiran Navgire 75 lakh Uma Kashvi 10 lakh Nazma Khan 10 lakh Kirstie Gordon 10 lakh
WPL 2027 auction: Went in with a clear idea of the squad we wanted, says UPW coach Nayar
Digital Desk | Kochi, Oct 28 (IANS) UP Warriorz (UPW) head coach Abhishek Nayar said the franchise went into the 2027 Womens Premier League (WPL) auction with a clear plan and came away with players who would give the side both quality and flexibility. UPW were the busiest franchise at the auction held on Wednesday, adding eight players to the 10 they had retained. Their headline signing was Australia captain Sophie Molineux, the most expensive buy of Wednesdays auction at Rs 1.10 crore. We went into the auction with a clear idea of the kind of squad we wanted to build. Sophie Molineux was a key addition for us, and we are delighted to have secured her services. Along with Grace Harris, Sneh Rana and the other players we have brought in, she gives us a lot of quality and flexibility. We wanted players who could contribute in different situations and complement the core we already have. We are happy with the group we have assembled and look forward to bringing everyone together ahead of the season, Nayar said in a statement issued by the franchise. Besides Sophie, UPW signed Australian all-rounder Grace Harris, India all-rounder Sneh Rana, leg-spinner Asha Sobhana and wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma for Rs 30 lakh each. Scotland all-rounder Kathryn Bryce and uncapped Indian all-rounders Sahana Pawar and Manali Dakshini came in for Rs 10 lakh each. The franchise had retained a strong core that includes India all-rounder Deepti Sharma, former Australia captain Meg Lanning, England left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone and Australia batter Phoebe Litchfield. Kshemal Waingankar, COO and Director of Cricket at Capri Sports, the franchises owners, said Sophies arrival would strengthen an already potent spin attack. Sophie Molineuxs addition further strengthens our spin attack and puts us in a strong position to explore different combinations. Grace Harris brings power to the middle order, while Sophie offers leadership qualities, exceptional bowling ability and a great presence within the team. We believe the combination of Sophie Molineux and Sophie Ecclestone could be a formidable force for us, while Grace gives us the flexibility to adjust our combinations based on the conditions and match situations, he said. Harris, who began her WPL career with UPW in 2023, returns after winning the 2026 title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Sobhana was bought back for a fraction of the Rs 1.1 crore the franchise paid for her in 2026. UP Warriorz squad for 2027 WPL: Meg Lanning, Deepti Sharma, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Ecclestone, Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud, Shipra Giri, Simran Shaikh, Sophie Molineux, Grace Harris, Sneh Rana, Asha Sobhana, Sushma Verma, Kathryn Bryce, Manali Dakshini, and Sahana Pawar.
Molineux mania! UP Warriorz outgun RCB in Rs 1.10 cr showstopper at WPL auction
UP Warriorz secured Australia captain Sophie Molineux for Rs 1.10 crore after a bidding battle with RCB at the WPL mini auction in Kochi. They also signed Grace Harris, Sushma Verma and Sneh Rana, prioritising experience. Delhi Capitals bought Kiran Navgire for 75 lakh, while Gujarat Giants signed Gunalan Kamalini. Sri Lankan veteran Chamari Athapaththu surprisingly went unsold.
Kochi-based Radhakrishnan M.S. wins the 28th Charles Correa Gold Medal
UP Warriorz acquired Australia captain Sophie Molineux and all-rounder Sneh Rana during the mini-auction held in Kochi. Delhi Capitals signed Kiran Navgire while adding several young talents to their roster as well. Gujarat Giants acquired G Kamalini and Orla Prendergast to enhance their squad for upcoming matches. Royal Challengers Bengaluru brought Jess Jonassen on board despite her ongoing recovery from injury.
WPL 2027 auction: New signings give us more options, says GG head coach Klinger
Digital Desk | Kochi, Oct 28 (IANS) Gujarat Giants (GG) head coach Michael Klinger said that picking G Kamalini, Orla Prendergast and Samaira Raghav at the 2027 Womens Premier League (WPL) auction had given the franchise more options, as it completed its 18-member squad for the new season. The franchise went into the auction with 15 retained players, having spent Rs 13.75 crore on retentions, and Rs 1.25 crore left in their purse to fill three slots, one of them for an overseas player. GG bought Tamil Nadus left-handed top-order wicketkeeper-batter Kamalini, a member of Indias 2025 ICC Womens Under-19 T20 World Cup winning team, for Rs 40 lakh. Irelands seam-bowling all-rounder Orla was signed for Rs 30 lakh. Samaira, a 16-year-old all-rounder, came in at her base price of Rs 10 lakh. The players did well last season and gave us a strong foundation to build on. Our preseason camp in Bengaluru helped us assess the squad and identify the areas we needed to strengthen. Kamalini gives us an aggressive option throughout the batting order, Orla brings real all-round quality as a wicket-taking medium pacer, and Samaira adds explosive power in the middle order. The new signings complement our retained players and give us more options. We are pleased with how the squad has come together and look forward to the season ahead, Klinger said in a statement by the franchise at the conclusion of the auction. Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer of Adani Sportsline, which owns the franchise, said the signings reflected GGs commitment to finding and developing young talent. We entered the auction with a strong retained core and a clear idea of what the squad needed. We are pleased with the players we have brought in. G. Kamalini, Orla Prendergast and Samaira Raghav each add something specific, whether it is aggression at the top, all-round quality or fearless hitting in the middle order. Our belief is in unearthing young talents and nurturing them. Kashvee Gautam, Anushka Sharma and Happy Kumari reflect the strength of our scouting programme, and we are hopeful that 16-year-old like Samaira is the next in line. The aim is to build a team that plays fearless cricket and contributes to the growth of the game for women in Gujarat and across the country, he said. GG finished second in the group stage of WPL 2026, winning five of their eight matches, before going out in the Eliminator after losing to Delhi Capitals. The 2027 WPL season will be played from January 14 to February 7. Gujarat Giants squad: Ashleigh Gardner (captain), Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Yastika Bhatia, Anushka Sharma, Bharti Fulmali, Happy Kumari, Jintimani Kalita, Kanika Ahuja, Kashvee Gautam, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh, Tanuja Kanwer, G Kamalini, Orla Prendergast, Samaira Raghav.
WPL 2027 Auction: Full List Of Sold Players, Final Prices And Top Buys
A total of 25 players were sold at the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction, in Kochi on Wednesday, with franchises spending a combined Rs 6.25 crore.
Case Filed Against NRI Passenger At Kochi Airport After Row Over iPhone Customs Duty
Kochi police register an FIR against an NRI passenger for refusing to pay customs duty on a mobile device.
The Liberian-flagged ship that sunk had caused extensive marine and coastal pollution on the shores of Keralam and Tamil Nadu
Kochi hosted the Women's Premier League 2027 mini-auction on October 28, where G Kamalini was acquired by Gujarat Giants. Kiran Navgire transitioned from UP Warriorz to Delhi Capitals after intense bidding. Several players, including Raghvi Bist and Ayushi Soni, went unsold during the auction process. Teams are focusing on enhancing their line-ups with 27 available slots.
Mercedes hit-and-run: Judge questioned for three hours in accident involving minor son in Kerala
Digital Desk | Kochi, Oct 28 (IANS) An Additional District Judge, whose 17-year-old son was involved in a road accident at Cheranalloor in which an elderly man was killed, was questioned by the police for around three hours on Wednesday, and asked to appear again on Thursday. The crash occurred at around 2.20 a.m. on October 25 on Container Road in Cheranalloor, near Kochi. Jayabalakrishnan, 55, was returning home after closing his roadside eatery when the Mercedes-Benz, allegedly driven by the judge's minor son, hit his scooter. He died on the spot, leaving behind his wife and three children. The judge, who has been named as an accused in the case, was summoned to the Aluva Police Club at around 2.40 p.m. on Wednesday. He was allowed to leave after the questioning. The case has drawn attention as it involves the minor son of a serving judicial officer. The police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident and the alleged role of those involved. Meanwhile reports have surfaced that the Kerala High Court Administrative Committee has decided against taking immediate action against the judge. It will consider the matter after two days, based on the police investigation report. The development comes after a report by the High Court judge in charge of Thrissur district recommended that the Additional District Judge be suspended. The Administrative Committee, however, decided that further action should await the findings of the police investigation. The decision indicates that the committee wants the facts to be established before proceeding against the judicial officer. The police are expected to continue questioning the judge as part of the investigation. His appearance on Thursday is expected to help investigators clarify the circumstances surrounding the accident and the allegations against him. The case has raised questions about the conduct of those involved in the accident and the course of the investigation. Further action against the judge will depend on the findings placed before the authorities. In a related development four police officials attached to the local station which registered the case was suspended and the Kochi City Police Commissioner was on Wednesday transferred out .
WPL 2027 auction: UPW pick Sushma Verma, MI get Disha Kasat as Bhatia, Sobhana, Saika go unsold
Digital Desk | Kochi, Oct 28 (IANS) UP Warriorz (UPW) signed veteran India wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma for Rs 30 lakh, and Mumbai Indians picked up uncapped batter Disha Kasat for Rs 10 lakh, in an otherwise quiet phase of the Womens Premier League (WPL) 2027 auction here on Wednesday. It was a phase where a string of India internationals went unsold. UPW continued to be the busiest franchise at the table by landing Sushma at her base price. She last played a T20I for India in December 2016, but was with Gujarat Giants in WPL 2023, and now returns to the league via UPW, a side whose trials she did attend before the auction happened. Disha, formerly with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their title winning season in 2024, was the only uncapped batter to find a buyer via Mumbai Indians. Taniyaa Bhatia, Asha Sobhana and Saika Ishaque were among the big names who failed to attract bids. Sushma was the only one of the four capped wicketkeepers to be picked. Uma Chetry, part of Indias ODI World Cup-winning squad and the first cricketer from Assam to represent India, went unsold, so did Taniyaa, who was released by Delhi Capitals and Nuzhat Parween. Though Taniyaas glovework is highly rated, but franchises have been wary of her batting. Fast bowlers had a lean round too. Indias Saima Thakor and Titas Sadhu, Australias Tayla Vlaeminck, Sri Lankas 19-year-old Mithali Ayodhya and New Zealands Rosemary Mair all went unsold at their base prices. Titas, an Under-19 World Cup winner in 2023 who has played for Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants, has had injury concerns. Rosemary was part of New Zealands T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2024. The capped spinners fared no better. Leg-spinner Priya Mishra, who made her India debut in 2024 and has played for Gujarat Giants, did not attract a bid. Left-arm spinner Saika, who made a strong impression in her debut WPL season with Mumbai Indians in 2023 before going on to play for India, did not get a buyer. South Africas Nonkululeko Mlaba, the first player from her country to go under the hammer on the day, was unsold. The most notable of them going unsold was Asha Sobhana, who was part of RCBs title-winning side in 2024, and missed the 2025 season through injury and was then bought by UP Warriorz for Rs 1.1 crore in 2026 after a fierce bidding war. This time, veteran leg-spinner Asha found no takers at Rs 30 lakh. Purvaja Verlekar, former UP Warriorz batter Vrinda Dinesh, former RCB player Gautami Naik, former Mumbai Indians batter Humaira Kazi and Shweta Sehrawat, who was UP Warriorzs lone retention ahead of 2026 WPL auction, all went unsold. Unsold players could still be picked up in the accelerated rounds later in the auction
Kerala HC seeks clarity on RTI exemption for vigilance probes
Digital Desk | Kochi Oct 28 (IANS) The Kerala High Court on Wednesday sought clarification from the state government on whether vigilance inquiries against public officials are covered by an exemption granted to two sections of the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V.M. Syam Kumar directed the government to file an affidavit detailing the categories of information handled by the T1 and T2 sections, which were exempted through a notification issued on October 22. The court observed that the two sections dealt with vigilance inquiries, intelligence inputs, search reports and other information relating to vigilance proceedings. It said some of this information could be sensitive but sought specific clarification on whether inquiries against officials fell within its remit. The matter will be considered again after three weeks. The public interest litigation challenges the government's decision to bring the two sections under the exemption. The petitioner contends that the VACB is primarily a criminal investigation agency that probes corruption offences involving public servants and cannot be classified as an intelligence or security organisation merely by administrative notification. Section 24(4) of the RTI Act allows state governments to exempt specified intelligence and security organisations through notifications published in the Official Gazette. The petitioner pointed out that the VACB was not among the eight organisations originally exempted under a government order dated February 7, 2006. The plea alleges that VACB information officers have begun rejecting requests concerning vigilance inquiries, preliminary verifications, closure reports and sanctions for prosecution, citing the October 22 notification. It argues that the RTI Act already provides exemptions to protect sensitive information, including material whose disclosure could impede investigations or endanger individuals. A blanket exemption for the two sections could restrict public scrutiny of the state's anti-corruption machinery, the petitioner contends. During the hearing, the petitioner cited a recent Supreme Court ruling in Special Police Establishment vs Kamta Prasad Mishra and Others, arguing that an agency investigating corruption cannot automatically be treated as an intelligence and security organisation under Section 24(4). The petitioner also submitted that a similar notification had been withdrawn by the state government in 2016 after it was challenged before the High Court. The plea seeks quashing of the October 22 notification and continued application of the RTI Act to the two sections for information not otherwise exempt under law. The High Court has not yet ruled on the validity of the notification.
Mercedes crash: Kochi top cop shifted; judge's flat searched
Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar was transferred and R Nishanthini appointed in his place following controversy over the police's handling of a fatal road accident. The incident involved a 17-year-old son of an Additional District Judge, who allegedly rammed his Mercedes-Benz into a scooter, killing a 55-year-old eatery owner. Four police personnel were suspended, and the judge has been booked under the Motor Vehicles Act. The probe has been transferred to the District Crime Branch.
Shukkoor murder case in Keralam: CBI court to pronounce verdict on November 12
Case assumed political significance after CPI(M) leader P. Jayarajan and former MLA and then DYFI State secretary T.V. Rajesh were arraigned as accused. Court had earlier refused to quash trial proceedings against them
WPL 2027 auction: Who has the biggest purse? Team-wise slots, budgets and base prices
The Women's Premier League 2027 auction is scheduled for October 28 in Kochi with 146 cricketers available. Teams will compete to fill 27 squad vacancies as they prepare for the upcoming season. The player pool includes 119 Indian players and 27 international players from various nations. Franchise budgets vary significantly, impacting recruitment strategies and decisions.
WPL 2027 auction: All five teams' budgets, squad needs and key targets
WPL 2027 auction: Check all five teams' purses, available slots, squad needs and potential targets as they look to fill 27 vacancies in Kochi today
Kochi Hit-And-Run Case: Police Commissioner Removed, Four Officers Suspended
Kochi City Police Commissioner Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar has been removed from his post over the alleged mishandling of a hit-and-run case involving a 17-year-old boy, the son of an Additional District and Sessions Judge. R Nishanthini has been appointed as the
Shukoor Murder Case Verdict Expected November 12
A special CBI court in Kochi is set to deliver its verdict on November 12 in the 2012 Ariyil Shukoor murder case. CPI(M) leaders P Jayarajan and T V Rajesh are among the accused in the killing of Muslim Youth League activist Shukoor, which the CBI alleges was in retaliation for an attack on Jayarajan. The case has garnered significant political attention.
WPL 2027 auction live team-wise list: The Women's Premier League 2027 auction is scheduled for October 28 in Kochi. Five franchises will compete to finalize their squads for the tournament. A total of 146 players have been shortlisted, including 119 Indian cricketers. Live streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app, while television broadcasts will be on Sony Sports Network.
Nedumbassery luxury car crash: District court rejects bail pleas of all four accused
Suhail Sajeev, the prime accused, and three co-passengers, Ninav, Ameen Sha and Joyal S., all aged 19, had approached the court after a Magistrate court had rejected their bail applications
2 Indian Artists Selected For Beaux-Arts de Marseille's Scholarship
Scholarship supported by the French Institute in India, Raza Foundation and Kochi Biennale Foundation to foster artistic mobility and strengthen India-France cultural exchange
Mumbai Indians enters the WPL 2027 auction with a limited budget and no overseas slots available. The team aims to strengthen its Indian player options while retaining a strong core of experienced players. The auction takes place in Kochi, focusing on acquiring six new Indian signings. Mumbai has released several players to provide opportunities for new talent. The franchise must balance budget constraints with team requirements to defend their title.
