Kerala to approach courts if Bills are kept pending with Governor, President beyond reasonable time

In response to a Presidential Reference, the Supreme Court had indicated that only a limited judicial review was possible on Bills pending beyond reasonable time. The State government may have to be clear on when to initiate legal action as the SC did not elaborate on the reasonable time

CEOs given standing instructions to ensure welfare of govt employees after BLO deaths, say ECI sources

NEW DELHI: Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) have given standing instructions to ensure the welfare of government employees working under their administrative supervision, sources in the Election Commission of India (ECI) said. The clarification comes amid growing uproar over a number of deaths and suicides among Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in states where the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is under way. They said that in line with the instructions issued to them, the CEOs are looking into the cases of reported deaths and seeking detailed reports from the respective District Collectors while investigating the cases. The sources said, the question of SIR work-related pressure should not be there, as each of the BLOs is given responsibility of distributing and collecting enumeration forms not more than 1,000, as for nearly 51 crore voters, there are five lakh BLOs in the field. However, since cases of deaths and suicides are being reported from West Bengal, Kerala, Gujarat and Rajastan, the CEOs and the District Returning Officers (DROs) are made responsible to ensure welfare of government employees working under their supervision, the sources said. During the past few days, cases of several deaths have been reported from different states. Ruling parties in the opposition-ruled states have demanded postponement of the exercise, as Congress president Mallikarjun Kharde termed the SIR as an imposed oppression and a deliberate ploy under which citizens are being harassed, which is reminiscent of demonetisation and the COVID-19 lockdown. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that chaos has been created across the country in the name of the SIR of electoral rolls. The result? Sixteen BLOs have lost their lives in three weeks. Heart attacks, stress, suicide - SIR is not a reform, it is an imposed oppression, he said in a post in Hindi on X. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shot off a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar recently urging him to take immediate corrective measures to prevent loss of lives owing to SIR-related stress and work pressure. Now, I am compelled to write to you as the situation surrounding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has reached a deeply alarming stage. The manner in which this exercise is being forced upon officials and citizens, it is not only unplanned and chaotic, but also dangerous, the West Bengal CMO told the CEC in the letter. Hasty SIR implementation reminiscent of demonetisation and Covid lockdown, says Congress on BLO deaths

Vizhinjam to play role in Keralas green hydrogen initiative

Plans afoot for regional green hydrogen ecosystem, with Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram as hubs, under the Hydrogen Valley Innovation Cluster (HVIC) initiative

Fire destroys kitchen, bedroom of houseboat in Kerala

Adah Sharma`s grandmother passes away, family to have memorial in Kerala

Adah, who shared a deep bond with her grandmother and often posted their joyful Party with Paati moments online, is devastated. She and her mother will hold a memorial service in their hometown in Kerala

Army JCO who died in Poonch laid to rest with full honours in Kerala

Anand Mahindra likes Kerala city and its architecture, buildings. 6 things to do see there

Industrialist Anand Mahindra highlighted Kochi's growing appeal, drawing attention to Fort Kochi's rich colonial history and cultural magnetism. The city offers immersive experiences like exploring local markets by tuk-tuk, witnessing iconic Chinese fishing nets, and appreciating Kathakali performances, the Dutch Palace, and the historic Jewish Synagogue.

Adah Sharma's beloved 'Paati' passes away, family to hold memorial service in Kerala

Actress Adah Sharma's grandmother passed away on Sunday. She breathed her last in Mumbai at 5:30 am. Admitted in the hospital for the last few weeks, she succumbed to Ulcerative Colitis and Diverticulitis. It is to be noted that Adah fondly referred to her grandmother as Paati. Adah is known to have shared an extremely close bond with her grandmother, sharing several joyful memories with her on social media - especially the viral Party with Paati videos.

The Kerala Story actress Adah Sharma's grandmother passes away

Actress Adah Sharma is heartbroken over the passing of her beloved grandmother, affectionately called 'Paati'. She succumbed to her long battle with ulcerative colitis and diverticulitis this morning. Living under the same roof, Adah often captured their delightful moments together, celebrating life in their special 'Party with Paati' tradition.

ATM cash van heist: Kerala to Goa how cops chased leads in five states

BENGALURU: Within 54 hours of the brazen cash robbery, three accused were identified and detained, Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh said here on Saturday. While Rs 5.76crore was recovered within 60 hours from the outskirts of the city, a bag containing Rs 53lakh was also seized from Hyderabad, Singh told a press conference. By the end of the first 24 hours, the accused persons and vehicles used in the heist had been identified through specific leads. One vehicle used in the crime was seized. As many as 200 police personnel, including 17 police inspectors, seven from the Central Crime Branch (CCB) and two Assistant Commissioners of Police, were part of the operation. Deputy Commissioners of Police, along with Joint Commissioners, supervised the entire investigation. Technical and field leads were pursued across Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Some teams also extended their search up to Goa, and more than 30 people have been questioned so far. CCTV footage, call detail records, vehicle movement patterns and local intelligence inputs were analysed continuously, the Commissioner added. DCP-South Lokesh B Jagalasar said three other accused in connection with the robbery were detained in Hyderabad. A bag of cash containing Rs 53 lakh was seized from them. Security lapses by CMS The probe into the Rs 7.11crore heist revealed that the Cash Management Services (CMS) firm had failed to follow key safety measures, and violated RBI guidelines. A senior police officer said that as per guidelines, cash-carrying vehicles should not use the same route or time repeatedly. Employees must be trained in cash handling, undergo proper background verification, and police should be informed if any custodial company employee is terminated. The GPS tracking system in the vehicle was also not functioning. There were lapses in staff deployment and security training, the officer added. Commissioner Singh told reporters, We have prepared a report on the violations committed by the company and will submit it to the authorities concerned. Daylight dacoit On November 19, a CMS Cash-In-Transit vehicle carrying Rs 7.11 crore was robbed. The gang, posing as RBI officers, claimed they wanted to inspect the vehicle. All four staffers inside the vehicle, except the driver, were asked to get down. They threatened the driver with a pistol, unloaded the cash boxes and stole the Digital Video Recorder. A case was registered at Siddapura police station.

Raipur Diary: : Chhattisgarh forest department tops All-India Forest Sports Meet for 13th year

State leads in all-India Forest Sports Meet For the 13th consecutive year, the Chhattisgarh forest department maintained its supremacy at the All India Forest Sports Meet held in Dehradun. The forest department won the overall Championship trophy. The states indomitable 253-member team led by APCCF Shalini Raina with the sterling spirit secured exceptional results with 74 gold medals and 578 Championship points to stand at Number-1 position in India. Kerala (31 Gold, 357 points) and Karnataka (25 Gold, 326 points) secured 2nd and 3rd places. Such a victory for the forest department team is far more than a sporting milestone, setting new benchmarks of excellence at the national level. Pandum Cafe: A coffee shop with a difference A unique Pandum Cafe in Bastar is not merely a coffee shop but a significant plan to rehabilitate surrendered Maoist cadres and victims of Naxal violence. Launched at the divisional headquarters in Jagdalpur, it provides to those who once picked up guns and engaged violence with sustainable livelihoods. CM Vishnu Deo Sai interacted with the hired enthusiastic team who began a new chapter of hope and reintegration after returning to the social mainstream. As a part of the state governments rehabilitation initiative, the move signifies an innovative effort reflecting a potent journey from conflict to cooperation. Youths here have had training. Aadhaar-enabled attendance from Dec 1 In an intended push towards ensuring transparency, punctuality and administrative efficiency, the state decided to roll-out mandatory Aadhaar-enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) across all departments operating from the state secretariat complex. The new practice will start from December 1. All employees can register their IN/OUT attendance on their smartphones using Aadhaar-enabled facial verification. This mobile-based system is designed to offer convenience while maintaining biometric integrity. And the wall-mounted, thumb-based biometric devices have been installed at all major entry points of the Secretariat. Ejaz Kaiser Our correspondent in Chhattisgarh ejaz@newindianexpress.com

Iconic Varkala cliff losing battle as govt-approved violations go on

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At a time when Varkala is being celebrated globally after finding a place on the Unesco tentative list, the historic cliff is ironically facing one of its worst phases of destruction with even government-approved projects contributing to the violations. Allegedly, the government has granted approval for two major projects that have encouraged large-scale interventions on the fragile and fast-eroding cliff. The government has given approval for a `25-crore project under the Swadeshi Darshan scheme at Varkalas centuries-old Janardhana Swamy Temple. Despite repeated notices from the Varkala municipality, the tourism department continues to go ahead with piling, hill excavation and construction work. According to municipal authorities, they have already issued a stop memo for the project. It is learned that ULCCS (Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society), the executing agency, has demolished significant portions of the cliff to facilitate the work. We have our limitations because its a government project. The tourism department is yet to submit the mandatory application for approval from the local body. The project also lacks CRZ clearance, said a senior official of the Varkala municipality. Recently, the government also approved the construction of a boutique resort on the South Cliff under the single window clearance mechanism, introduced to ease business procedures. In contrast, the Varkala municipality itself has issued around 61 notices to various unauthorised structures and violations along the North Cliff. The repeated green lighting of such projects by higher authorities has put the municipality in an awkward position. The double standards have not gone down well with stakeholders who have been served notices. The law should be the same for everyone. If they want to clear all structures, then both the municipality and the government should knock down everything on the cliff. What is happening now is selective enforcement targeting small businesses operating on one or two cents of their own land, said E M Rasheed, owner of Hill Top Ayurvedic Beach Resort, one of the oldest tourism establishments on the cliff. He alleged that corruption among municipal officials is responsible for the mushrooming of unauthorised structures. Environmental activists have filed several complaints against the government-approved violations. Sanjeev S J of the Environmental Protection and Research Council (EPRC), who has submitted multiple complaints, said the Single Window Clearance system is being misused to push through violations on the South Cliff. Massive destruction is happening along the cliff with explicit government approval. The boutique resort with an infinity pool is coming up on the South Cliff without the landslide susceptibility analysis mandated by the disaster management authority, he alleged. He added that piling and demolition work is taking place dangerously close to the 2,000-year-old Sree Janardhana Swamy Temple. It is disheartening that the government itself is setting a precedent for violations instead of conserving and protecting the cliff, he said.

Lack of furniture: 700 books stacked on chairs at State Central Library in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Giving a bitter sight to book lovers in the capital city, over 700 books have been placed on low-lying chairs and platforms in the Malayalam section of the State Central Library here. When asked about the situation, the authorities stated that the books mostly new had been kept there for nearly a month. However, officials attributed this to the lack of furniture in the library. Even though we have been receiving many books, we do not have enough furniture or racks to keep them, an official said. We even tried to stack them in two rows, but that does not serve the purpose of a library. Moreover, the piles even began falling over the readers. Despite several requests, no new furniture had been provided. As a result, the staff had to shift racks from other parts of the library to accommodate the books, a delay the official attributed to possible bureaucratic issues. The state librarian declined to comment on the matter. While authorities attempted to play down the issue, book lovers argue that this is not just an insult to books but also a sign of disrespect to the readers. Especially during this rainy season, books are very likely to get damp. The library is a place that many underprivileged students rely on, said Aparna S, a post-graduate student and a regular visitor. Aardra A S, a literature student from University College, said that it was very sad to see a space she is emotionally attached to treat books this way. The main purpose of a library is to keep the books sacred. But if they are being kept this way, then there is no point in discussing it further, she said.

Rain likely across Kerala; yellow alerts in 7 districts on November 23

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued yellow alerts for seven districts Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki for Sunday. The IMD has forecast rain or thundershowers across many parts of Kerala over the next six days. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea till Monday. Alert issued Sunday: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki Monday: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Palakkad and Malappuram Tuesday: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki Wednesday: Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki

Kerala SIR: List of over 1 lakh untraceable voters to be out

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the enumeration forms for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being distributed to 99.5% of the 2.78 crore voters in the state, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer-Kerala has decided to publish the list of 1.29 lakh voters who remained untraceable owing to various reasons. This constituted 0.47% of the total electorate. Addressing a news conference here on the sidelines of a meeting with representatives of various political parties, CEO-Kerala Rathan U Kelkar said the 1.29 lakh untraceable voters included those who were found to be dead, had permanently shifted their residence, remained absent for a long period or also those who had already enrolled their names in other places. We will publish the names of voters whose enumeration forms have not been returned due to various reasons. This will enable eligible voters as well as the Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of political parties to rectify the issues before the enumeration process ends on December 4, Kelkar said. The official added that collection hubs have been organised at the booth level for voters to return the filled forms to the BLOs. According to Kelkar, around 70% of the enumeration forms have been returned to BLOs. Of these, digitisation has been completed in 31.42 lakh forms (11.28% of the total forms) and the entire process is expected to be completed soon. The official said that voters who have not yet received the enumeration forms should contact the toll-free voter helpline number 1950 or contact their respective BLOs whose contact numbers have been provided booth-wise in CEO-Keralas website. Political parties flay process Meanwhile, political parties in the state, except the BJP, raised concerns over the haste in which the SIR was being conducted in the state. Alleging that SIR was being carried out without addressing peoples concerns, M Vijayakumar of the CPM said no relaxation of the SIR schedule has been provided even though the Supreme Court is considering the legality of conducting the exercise. The Congress and the IUML also raised objections to the pace at which the revision is being carried out. Muhammed Shah of the IUML said BLOs were being asked to hurriedly complete the exercise by November 25 even though the EC-stipulated deadline is December 4. He alleged that it was being done to present before the Supreme Court that 80% of the enumeration forms have been collected back from the voters by November 25.

Two transgender nominees can contest from womens seats: Election Commission

ALAPPUZHA/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a significant acknowledgement of gender self-identification in the local body polls, two trans women Arunima M Kurup in Alappuzha and Ameya Prasad in Thiruvananthapuram have been cleared to contest from women-reserved seats after days of uncertainty and scrutiny over their eligibility. The State Election Commission on Saturday granted permission to Arunima, 26, to contest from the women-reserved Vayalar division of Alappuzha district panchayat, ending prolonged speculation. Confusion had risen soon after the Congress announced her candidature, with opponents alleging she was ineligible as a trans woman. However, Arunima furnished an affidavit declaring she is a woman, supported by her voter ID, Aadhaar card and other records that list her gender as female. She also clarified that she had undergone gender-affirming surgery years ago and is legally recognised as a woman. Citing Supreme Court rulings and Union government provisions on the right to gender self-identification, the presiding officer approved her nomination. A native of Kanjikuzhi, Arunima is the state general secretary of KSU and the first president of the Kerala Pradesh Transgender Congress. In Thiruvananthapuram, UDF candidate Ameya Prasad has similarly been confirmed eligible to contest from the women-reserved Pothencode division of the district panchayat. Her nomination, too, had come under scrutiny after officials noted that transgender candidates can contest only in general seats. With her voter ID listing her gender as transgender, Ameya approached the High Court, which clarified that the returning officer could decide on her eligibility. After verification, the officer accepted her documents identifying her as a woman and approved her candidature. Ameya has already begun campaigning in Pothencode as scrutiny of nominations concluded on Saturday.

Art which is not in conversation with time and place is useless: T M Krishna

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mentioning that the essence of being an artist is to be honest to oneself and his surroundings, veteran Carnatic vocalist T M Krishna said that art which does not engage with time is useless. If an artists art is not in conversation with the time, place and environment they live in, it is not art, he said after receiving the fifth P Govinda Pillai Memorial National Award at the Senate Hall here on Saturday. Talking about traditional musicians like Thyagaraja Swamikal and Muthuswami Dikshitar, Krishna said that they too engaged with their times, though he may not agree with them. Presenting the award to the acclaimed singer, CPM national general secretary M A Baby said that Krishna widened the creative boundaries of Carnatic music, without leaving behind its scientific aspects. T M Krishna is a person who liberated the stringent procedures and rigid customs of Carnatic music, he said. Calling him a musical magician, Baby also added that Krishna was effectively able to cater the art to todays evolving audience. Bestowed in the name of veteran CPM leader P Govinda Pillai, the award was previously won by Adv Prasanth Bhushan, journalist N Ram, writer Arundhati Roy and historian Romila Thapar. The programme, which began with a musical performance by Krishna, was presided over by former speaker M Vijayakumar. The award presentation ceremony was also attended by General Education Minister V Sivankutty, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam, TRIDA chairman K C Vikraman, P Govinda Pillais children R Parvathidevi and M G Radhakrishnan, among others.

Pilgrims rush contained in Sabarimala, govt to raise darshan slots

KOTTAYAM: Having brought the rush of pilgrims under control, the government on Saturday decided to adjust spot booking at the Sabarimala hill shrine according to daily crowd flow. A high-level meeting convened by Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan in Pampa also decided to increase the number of devotees ascending the holy steps to 85 per minute from the current 75 to let more pilgrims have darshan. The meeting, attended by Devaswom secretary M G Rajamanickam and Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) president K Jayakumar, also addressed the need to improve existing crowd-management strategies. To expedite pilgrim movement, it was decided to deploy more experienced police personnel. Spot booking slots were capped at 5,000 until Monday after heavy influx of pilgrims threw crowd control measures haywire on November 18, the second day of the Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season. As many as 53.6 lakh pilgrims visited Sabarimala during the pilgrimage season last year, and the turnout is expected to be higher this time. As per estimates, nearly five lakh pilgrims have visited Sabarimala since the start of the pilgrimage season on November 16. On November 21 alone, 72,037 devotees had darshan by 7pm. KSRTCs daily income from the Nilakkal-Pampa chain services rose to Rs 60 lakh. TDB asked to give Rs 20 lakh to police department Saturdays meeting mandated a joint daily review session at Sannidhanam led by the Sabarimala ADM and attended by representatives from the TDB, departments of police, health, fire and rescue services, forest and public works besides Kerala Water Authority. Issues identified at the sessions must be resolved promptly. Similar review meetings will be regularly conducted at Pampa and Nilakkal. The TDB will take a final decision on darshan timings at Sannidhanam following thorough consultations. The meeting asked the health department to establish an echocardiogram facility at Sannidhanam health centre, and also emphasised the need for enhanced coordination among police teams operating at Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilakkal. Efforts will be made to improve the efficiency of the integrated control room at Pampa. Immediate measures will be taken to ensure the full utilisation of parking facilities at Nilakkal. Large LED display walls will be installed at Pampa and Nilakkal to provide real-time information to pilgrims. More personnel will be deployed urgently to ensure round-the-clock cleaning of toilets; supervisors will be appointed to monitor this. More bio-toilets will be set up and drinking water supply will be enhanced with deployment of additional staff. Issues related to dolly service operations will be addressed. Adequate lighting and drinking water will be ensured along the forest route. Necessary arrangements will be made at Erumely, with a special review meeting scheduled on November 27. Quality of food provided to officials on duty will be improved. The TDB has been directed to provide Rs 20 lakh in advance to police dept as is usual practice. Health check-ups will be made mandatory for hotel staff at Sannidhanam, and health cards issued. Fire force has been instructed to conduct preventive inspections in all hotels. The meeting also stressed the need for better coordination between KSRTC and police. Meanwhile, a 140-member Rapid Action Force (RAF) unit led by a deputy commander was stationed at Sannidhanam and Marakkoottam. They would operate in three shifts with 32 personnel each, supported by a 10-member Quick Response Team on 24-hour standby for emergencies.

Green campaign flash mob sparks communal standoff in Kasaragod

KASARGOD: The flash mob organised by District Suchitwa Mission and Kumbashree Mission for green election campaign ended up triggering a communal clash, albeit unintentionally at Ulliyathadka near Kasaragod town on Friday. Kasaragod police booked 50 people for unlawful assembly and rioting. Three have been taken into custody so far. District Collector K Inbasekar flagged off Haritha Sandesh Yatra, a green campaign to ensure eco-friendly norms in 2025 local body elections, at the collectors office on Friday. Followed by the inauguration, the flash mob team headed to selected places to perform and sensitise people to follow green norms during the elections. Around noon, the flash mob team arrived at Madhur grama panchayat office. Meanwhile, there was a prayer meet (Jummah) under way at a mosque nearby since it was Friday. At the same time, there were BJP workers gathered at Madhur grama panchayat since it was the last day to file nomination for local body elections. When the flash mob happened, a section of people from the mosque opposed it, assuming that it was a BJP programme. Kudumbashree Mission coordinator Ratheesh Kumar said that somebody switched off the audio system citing prayers and the flash mob crew dispersed, heading to the next destination. We were unaware of such a situation brewing over the flash mob we conducted because our crew left from the spot immediately after that, he said. Though the flash mob crew left, tension continued to simmer since there were BJP workers present on the spot. According to the FIR filed by police, the police team received information about the tension around 1.30pm, there were two sections of people one wearing ordinary shirts standing on the north side and the other group wearing saffron bracelets standing on the south side. The group clad in ordinary shirts shouted at the saffron bracelet wearing group, Why are you Hindus conducting a programme when our Jummah prayers are happening, but the other group responded that it was not Hindu or BJP but some government programme. But the Muslim group continued shouting with communal slurs and started advancing towards Hindu group and assaulting them. Upon seeing the police, the people gathered in the spot were scattered and the police team, not sufficient in number, did not engage further since apprehending anyone would escalate the situation further, according to the police official heading the team. Kasaragod SHO Nalinakshan said that there were anti-social elements in the Muslim group which found an opportunity for a clash. The ones who came for prayers continued with it, but the anti-social elements in the group started creating the riot, said the official. They have arrested three persons so far and all of them have pending cases against them. We are looking for others, he added. The Kasaragod police booked 50 people under BNS sections 189(2),191(2),191(3),196,190 for unlawful assembly, rioting and promoting enmity between different groups.

Malayali soldier falls into gorge in Poonch, dies

MALAPPURAM: Junior Commissioned Officer Sajeesh K, 48, a Malayali soldier from Cherukunnu, Malappuram, died after falling into a gorge while on patrol at Behramgalla in Jammus Poonch district around 4 pm on Friday. Army personnel launched a rescue operation soon after the incident, but Sajeesh had died by then. His body was brought to Cherukunnu by 10 pm on Saturday. The body was kept at his residence, where the public can pay homage from 7.30 am to 9.30 am on Sunday. After an official guard of honour, the cremation will be held on the house premises. Sajeesh had served in the Army for 27 years. He had rejoined duty just two months ago after a vacation. He is survived by wife Roshini, and two children. The Armys White Knight Corps paid tributes to the fallen soldier. General Officer Commanding White Knight Corps and all ranks pay solemn tribute to Subedar (operator) Sajeesh K, who made the supreme sacrifice, while on an area domination patrol on November 21. We stand with the bereaved family in this hour of grief, the Army said.

Judicial officer moves SC against High Courts disciplinary action

KOCHI: A judicial officer in Kerala has approached the Supreme Court challenging the disciplinary action initiated against her by the Kerala High Court for stopping the proceedings in 1,910 cases. The petitioner, Sony A S, who served as the Judicial First Class Magistrate III in Kollam from August 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016 had allegedly disposed of 1,910 cases indiscriminately, without recording any reason. A Division Bench of the Supreme Court consisting Justice Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta has sought a response from the state government on her plea challenging the two orders issued by Kerala High Court upholding the disciplinary penalty and rejecting her request to restore her seniority. Sony A S, while serving as the JFCM in Kollam had invoked her powers under Section 258 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to stop the proceedings in the cases involving minor offences like rash driving. The petitioner argued that the orders were passed in good faith to reduce the backlog in accordance with administrative directions encouraging magistrates to prioritise contested trials. She said the Registrar of Kerala High Court had issued appreciation letters for reducing backlog. However, in September 2018, she was served a charge memo alleging deliberate disobedience of an office memorandum. The disciplinary proceedings culminated in withholding two increments with cumulative effect in April 2022. Sony said her probation was already delayed by several years and the penalty further affected her seniority and promotion prospects. She argued that the action was contrary to the Judges (Protection) Act, 1985 and the Kerala Judicial Officers Protection Act 1963, which safeguard the judges from disciplinary or civil action for acts done in good faith while discharging judicial functions.

Grazing buffaloes stray on to NH, firefighters herd them to safety

KASARGOD: The Fire and Rescue Services in Kasaragod carried out a safety operation on Saturday after a herd of buffaloes strayed onto the national highway. A six-member team, along with patrolling staff of the contracting company of the highway construction, walked with the animals for over four kilometres, herding them to safety. The buffaloes, owned by five residents of Eriyal near Mogral Puthur, had been released for grazing as usual. However, 12 buffaloes broke away, entered the highway through an opening in the parapet wall near Adkathbail, and began running amid speeding traffic. A two-wheeler rider who encountered the animals alerted the Fire and Rescue Services office around 2.45pm. A team led by senior fire officer V N Venugopal was dispatched. We found them on the flyover and had to guide them nearly 4km to an opening at Anangoor, said Venugopal. The team then moved the animals to an open field and secured them with ropes. The Kasaragod Town police said the buffalo owners were taken into custody for endangering public safety.

Rebels, turncoats pose headache for fronts in Kerala local body elections

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Local body polls often act as a launch pad for new political faces, making them a keenly watched affair. These elections spawn leaders, disruptors, and at times kingmakers. Unlike general elections, voters are often kinder to those hopping from one party to another, finding fault with the policies they had espoused earlier, and contesting on a new label. The cabin of democracy during local body polls is so accommodating that there is room for turncoats and rebels. It is no different this time either. The three major political fronts LDF, UDF and NDA are having to deal with aspirants who can upset their apple cart. In Thiruvananthapuram corporation, where the LDF is locked in a seesaw fight with the NDA to retain power, intra-party feud in at least two divisions are giving the left coalition a headache. Former Desabhimani Thiruvananthapuram bureau chief K Sreekandan, a party member for the past four decades, is contesting from Ulloor ward, an LDF bastion, as an independent. He decided to throw down the gauntlet after the CPM agreed on another candidate. The bitterness prompted Sreekandan to come out against former minister and party strongman Kadakampally Surendran, accusing him of a deal with the BJP. In Chempazhanthy, former CPM local committee member Annie Asokan is contesting as a rebel candidate. The Kazhakoottam block panchayat president from 2004 to 2010, she chose to be a rebel after the party opted for Sheela Mohanan. Annies ire was also directed against Kadakampally. In CPMs sitting ward of Vazhottukonam, former CPM branch secretary K V Mohanan is contesting as a rebel candidate. His justification of going against the party is that a person having real estate interests has been picked as the candidate. For the UDF, too, which is trying to offset the previous electoral losses, is also bogged down by defections. K Maheswaran Nair, a former Leader of Opposition in the corporation and a four-time councillor from the Poojappura ward, has joined the BJP and is contesting from Punnakkamugal. Former Congress leader Padmini Thomas, who had joined the saffron party, is the NDA candidate in the Palayam ward. Another former Congress leader, Thampanoor Satheesh, is in the fray in Thampanoor for the NDA. In Kochi corporation, defection has been the order of the day. In the previous elections, the LDF won 33 seats and managed to garner the support of two independent candidates to grab power in the 74-member council. The UDF won 31 seats, while the NDA and independent candidates won five each. Muslim League rebel T K Ashraf, who had supported the LDF last time and was given the health standing committee chairperson post in return, has made a homecoming and has been fielded as the UDF candidate from North Kaloor. P M Harris, a League councillor and a former public workbns standing committee chairperson, is the LDF candidate against Ashraf. On its part, the LDF has fielded six former UDF councillors to retain power. In Vyttila division, CPM former area committee member V P Chandran has been fielded as an independent candidate by the UDF. In a tit-for-tat response, former KPCC member A B Sabu was fielded by the CPM as their candidate. Thoppumpady councillor Sheeba Durom, who was suspended from the Congress party in 2023, will now contest the election on behalf of the LDF from the same ward. Gracy Joseph, the LDF candidate in Kathrikadavu division, was a UDF councillor and was suspended by the Ernakulam District Congress Committee (DCC) in 2020. Another candidate, M B Muraleedharan, contesting from Vennala, was a three-term Congress councillor and was also the UDF parliamentary party secretary. Former Congress councillor Mary Calista Prakashan, who represented the Mundamveli division, is contesting from the same ward on a CPM ticket this time. Malini Kurup, a three-term councillor, has already left the Congress after being denied the Girinagar seat. This came as a shocker for the Congress which had witnessed its Vyttila councillor Sunitha Dixon joining the BJP and declared as its candidate in Ponnurunni East. Devankulangara councillor Santha Vijayan too defected. In Thrissur corporation, which has a rich history of turncoats becoming kingmakers, there is no dearth of rebels and turncoats this time too. Mayor M K Varghese himself was a Congress rebel candidate after the party denied him a seat in 2020. Varghese won the election and pledged support to the LDF, which cobbled up votes barely enough to catapult it to power. Varghese entered into a pact with the LDF and became the mayor. Former deputy mayor and LDF councillor for 15 years, Beena Murali has announced that she will contest from Krishnapuram as an independent. She had resigned from the CPI after being refused a seat. Janata Dal (S) councillor Sheeba Babu has now joined the BJP and will contest as the party candidate from Kalathode. The BJP too has to endure rebel woes as I Lalithambika, the partys councillor from Kuttankulangara, has deserted the ship. She is contesting as a CPI-backed independent from the same division. UDFs Kuriachira councillor Nimmy Rappai has left the Congress and is now contesting as an LDF-backed candidate. In Kannur corporation, the spotlight for the past 10 years was on P K Ragesh, a rebel Congress leader. He helped shape the corporations political landscape by helping to elect its first mayor, E. P. Latha of the LDF, in 2015. At the time, the UDF and the LDF had won 27 seats each in the 55-member council, while Ragesh secured a seat as an independent after breaking away from the Congress. By extending his support to the LDF, he was made the deputy mayor. However, in 2019, he shifted his stance by successfully backing a UDF-led no-confidence motion against Latha. Later that year, following compromise talks initiated by K Sudhakaran, he rejoined the Congress, paving the way for Congress leader Suma Balakrishnan to become the mayor while he retained the post of deputy mayor. He was expelled in 2023 from the party due to an internal feud. Now, he is working through the Rajivji Cultural Forum, which plans to field candidates in several wards of the corporation under the banner of Aikya Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samithi. Senior leaders who switched sides Former Congress leader K. Maheswaran Nair, ex-Leader of the Opposition in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. Now contesting as NDA candidate Thampanoor Satheesh, once a close aide of K Karunakaran, is now contesting for the NDA from Thampanoor Former rebel Congress leader P K Ragesh became deputy mayor under the LDF regime. Now, he leads Aikya Janadhipathya Samrakshana Samithi LDF candidate in Kathrikadavu, Gracy Joseph, was earlier a UDF councillor. She was suspended from Congress in 2020 Muslim League rebel T K Ashraf had supported LDF last time. He has made a homecoming and is now the UDF candidate from North Kaloor in Kochi Thrissurs ex-deputy mayor, CPIs Beena Murali, is contesting from Krishnapuram as an independent CPM former area committee member V P Chandran has been fielded as an independent candidate by the UDF in the Vyttila division of the Kochi corporation Forgiving voters Unlike general elections, voters are often kinder to those hopping from one party to another, finding fault with the policies they had espoused earlier, and contesting on a new label during local body polls

Cyclone likely to form over Bay of Bengal, IMD warns of heavy rainfall in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. Check latest update

Cyclone in Bay of Bengal: A low-pressure area has formed over the Bay of Bengal and is expected to intensify into a depression by November 24. The system may further strengthen over the southwest Bay of Bengal in the subsequent 48 hours. Heavy rainfall is forecast for Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, coastal Karnataka and Lakshadweep.

Onchiyam where CPM, RMP are locked in a bitter turf war

KOZHIKODE: As Kerala inches closer to the local body elections, all eyes are once again on Onchiyam, the politically charged panchayat that has long been synonymous with red flags, ideological clashes, and the lingering shadow of a political murder that reshaped the Left in Kerala. For decades, Onchiyam was considered an unshakable fortress of CPM. But that changed in 2010 when the Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP), born out of rebellion and blood, captured power following the brutal killing of its founder, T P Chandrasekharan, a former CPM leader who was expelled from the party. Since then, the RMP and the CPM have been locked in a bitter turf war for control over this small but politically symbolic panchayat. Once a CPM bastion, Onchiyam transformed into the RMPs ideological capital after Chandrasekharans murder in 2012. His widow, K K Rema, rose from tragedy to political prominence, representing the RMP in the state assembly. RMP has strengthened its roots in Onchiyam. Development has been visible, especially since K K Rema became an MLA. The CPM no longer has the same influence here, according to the local residents. But for some others, There hasnt been any real development in 15 years. Whatever work happened benefited their own people. The CPM will bring discipline and structure back if they return. RMP MLA K K Rema, who has become the face of anti-CPM Left politics, exudes confidence as she campaigns through Onchiyam. The development visible in Onchiyam is both from the panchayats work and my initiatives as an MLA. In this digital age, no one can mislead voters. CPM can show gimmicks at the end of their tenure, but the truth is visible, even in their own panchayats. RMP has set an example of transparent governance. I am confident we will win more seats than before, said Rema. The Left ideology no longer exists within the CPM. They have aligned with capitalist and communal forces. What ideals do they have left to tell voters? Their campaign is filled with fake propaganda on social media. But people are not fools. They can see whats been done, and they will deliver a verdict based on facts. The Left will face a historic defeat in Onchiyam and across Kerala. Responding sharply to Remas remarks, T P Bineesh, CPM Onchiyam area secretary, asserted that the LDF is poised for a comeback. There is no doubt, the LDF will recapture the Onchiyam panchayat. The party has grown politically in this region. In the last election, CPM lost by a narrow margin, but the people have seen our continuous grassroots work. We are confident of a massive return, he said. Bineesh emphasised that the CPM campaign focuses on peoples welfare, not personalities. We are not concerned about what the MLA or opponents say. Our politics connects with ordinary people, not through social media but through direct engagement. The people of Onchiyam know who truly represents their interests, and that clarity will be reflected in the ballot box, he added.

INTERVIEW| People will see stagnation in development under Pinarayi govt

MALAPPURAM: In the thick of an intense local body election season, IUML State President Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal speaks to TNIE about UDFs preparedness, seat-sharing debates, P V Anvars likely entry to the UDF, and why these elections could become a referendum on the Pinarayi Vijayan government. Excerpts The nomination process is over and the stage is set for the local body elections. How prepared are the Muslim League and the UDF? The UDF and the Muslim League are fully prepared. Our candidates have already completed the first phase of campaigning. With nomination and scrutiny processes completed, the election picture is now clear. Candidates are in the field fully energised. There were some issues regarding seat allocation within the UDF in both north and south Kerala... Naturally, there will be discussions and disagreements while finalising seat sharing. However, all issues were resolved before the nomination day itself. Now, the UDF is moving forward with complete unity. What about P V Anvar? Will there be a decision soon on his entry into the UDF? The IUML has always maintained that he should be included in the UDF. After the Nilambur bypoll, the political scenario changed significantly and he took a firm stand in favour of joining the UDF. We expect a positive decision from the Congress and the UDF as a whole by November 24. The LDF is using the UDF-WPI ties in certain local bodies as a campaign weapon.. . There is no official tie-up at the state level. What exists are local, issue-based arrangements that are necessary in certain panchayats and municipalities. In fact, the CPM also maintains similar ties with the Welfare Party in several local bodies. The only difference is that they keep it under wraps. So, will these elections turn into a referendum on the performance of the Pinarayi Vijayan government? Certainly. There is no doubt about that. The public will express their resentment towards the government through these elections. Unlike assembly elections, local body polls are closely linked to development activities in each panchayat and ward. People will clearly see the stagnation in development under the Pinarayi government.

NIA to probe wider conspiracy in 2010 Kerala professor hand-chopping case

KOCHI: Nearly 15 years after the brutal hand-chopping attack on college professor T J Joseph, and the arrest of first accused Savad last year, the National Investigation Agency is set to carry out further investigation to determine whether more members of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) were involved in the heinous assault. According to NIA, the custodial interrogation of Savad, who allegedly severed the professors right palm, had exposed a network of alleged PFI operatives who sheltered and arranged employment to him in Tamil Nadu and Kerala while he was on the run. Further investigation is necessary to secure additional scientific evidence and ascertain the role of other individuals in the wider conspiracy that may have fuelled the attack, the agency told the NIA Special Court in Ernakulam on Thursday. The court accepted the agencys Kochi units request. As per the NIA chargesheet, the accused attacked Joseph, former Malayalam professor at Newman College, Thodupuzha, on July 4, 2010. It said Savad chopped off the victims right palm and threw it away in the nearby compound as part of executing their radical belief. While chopping off the hand, Savad uttered that This hand that insults Islam will not be used in future, the NIA chargesheet said. After nearly 14 years on the run, Savad was arrested by the NIA on January 10, 2024 from Kannur, where he was living under the pseudonym Shajahan. The NIA had filed a chargesheet against 27 accused persons under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act and Indian Penal Code. After the trial, the NIA Special Court in Ernakulam convicted 19 accused in 2023. Since Savad was absconding, the case against him was split up and refiled. Trial of Savad and Shaffer pending In its latest submission, the NIA said after the crucial arrest, the investigation found that Shaffer C, a PFI cadre, willfully arranged shelter and provided other logistics support to Savad at Chakkad and Mattannur in Kannur from 2020 till his arrest. He was arraigned as the 55th accused and remanded in judicial custody. Savads custodial interrogation revealed that PFI cadre/leaders arranged shelter and secured employment for him at Pandrimalai in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, and in Kannur. Savads lawyer termed the NIAs move a tactics to delay his pending trial. The trial of Shaffer is also pending. Recap July 4, 2010: Seven PFI members attack Malayalam prof T J Joseph, chop off his right wrist for allegedly hurting religious sentiments 2015 & 2023: A Total 19 accused were convicted by NIA court; trial was held in two phases January 10, 2024: First accused Savad arrested from Kannur after nearly 14 years; trial pending

Over 5.75 lakh devotees visit Sabarimala temple in first week of pilgrimage season

KOCHI (Kerala), Nov 22: Over 5.75 lakh devotees have visited the Sabarimala temple since it opened for the mandala-makaravilakku season on November 16, authorities said on Saturday. A press release from the Information and Public Relations Department said that as of 7 pm on Saturday, more than 5.75 lakh pilgrims had visited the hill shrine. On Saturday alone, 72,845 devotees reached the sannidhanam till 7 pm. While the flow of devotees continues without interruption, all arrangements for smooth darshan have [] The post Over 5.75 lakh devotees visit Sabarimala temple in first week of pilgrimage season appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Experts call for strengthening wetland monitoring

SI, two others booked for alleged blackmailing, extortion of money in Kochi

District Police Chief (Kochi City) Putta Vimaladitya has sought an internal report on the incident

Battle for the ballot a burden on the pocket

Though the State Election Commission has set a ceiling of 1.5 lakh as election expenses for candidates in district panchayats and Corporations, the real cost overshoots the limit by a huge margin. Parties bear a portion of the expenses, but the candidate has to shoulder the actual burden

Munnar hopes for stability after a term of defections, power struggle

Grama panchayat sees five different presidents in the past five years. Though UDF won the poll in 2020 with 11 seats and LDF 10 seats, two of its members defected to the in 2022 bringing the panchayat under LDF control. The was followed by a series of defections and power struggle

Stamp of election on T-shirts, caps

Student leaders give a campus vibe for local body elections in Kerala

CPI(M) has fielded 48 leaders of Students Federation of India in the polls while the Congress has found 79 candidates from the Kerala Students Union. MSF, the students union of the Indian Union Muslim League has fielded 47 leaders, while 14 from the All India Students Federation, the CPIs student wing, are also in the fray

Real-life Manjummel Boy in the fray in Kerala local body polls

JCO, Agniveer die in separate accidents in Poonch

Mendhar/Jammu, Nov 22: A junior commissioned officer (JCO) of the Army and an Agniveer died in separate incidents in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Saturday. JCO Sajeesh K, a resident of Kerala, was leading a search party in the Seri Mastan area of Behramgalla on Friday evening when he lost balance [] The post JCO, Agniveer die in separate accidents in Poonch appeared first on Northlines .

Border Security Update Kerala-Karnataka Police: Border Meet - Deccan Herald

Border Security Update Kerala-Karnataka Police: Border Meet Deccan Herald

SMAT: Sanju Samson to lead Kerala; Vignesh Puthur also there

Sanju Samson will lead Kerala in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025/26, commencing November 26 in Lucknow. The team's departure is set for November 22. This appointment follows Samson's high-profile trade to Chennai Super Kings and his recent Asia Cup T20 success, as he prepares for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

50 booked, 3 held for disrupting flash mob

Kadamakudy shocker for Congress as candidates nomination gets rejected

The nomination papers filed by Elsy George was rejected after it was found that a person who had seconded her candidature was a voter outside the division

New labour codes aimed at creating trade union free-atmosphere: Elamaram Kareem

Panchayat Polls: Transwoman's Candidature Accepted In Women Reserved Seat In Kerala

The transwoman Amaya Prasad is conesting as Congress led UDF candidate from Pothencode ward of district panchayat. Earlier, the DEO had expressed doubts about her candidature from a ward reserved for women.

Consumer panel orders compensation for not repairing faulty air conditioner unit

Nomination of transpersons to contest from womens wards accepted

The candidatures of Amaya Prasad and Arunima M. Kurup, fielded by the UDF in Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha respectively, were approved by the respective returning officers on November 22, 2025, thus paving the way for them to contest the civic polls

Gold Bars Robbed From Kerala Goldsmith Inside Bandipur Tiger Reserve

The Kerala jeweller/goldsmith is identified as Vinu (49) a resident of Calicut and the incident occurred on November 20 at around 7.30 pm

State will not take anti-worker position, says Minister on new Labour Codes

NIT-C students develop autonomous drone for disaster-relief operations

Local body polls: 2261 nominations rejected, shows latest update from State Election Commission

Money laundering: eight trusts with PFI links under ED scanner

Properties worth 67 crore were recently attached as part of an intensified investigation into the role of these trusts in handling funds for the banned Popular Front of India

Cruise season kicks off amid hopes of revival

A new addition to this years package tours is Kadamakkudy, which is fast emerging as one of the sought-after tourist destinations in Kochi

Action taken against illegal online sale of drugs

TiE Kerala awards 2025 presented

Scrutiny of nominations complete in Pathanamthitta

Special Intensive Revision: Political parties slam ECI for ignoring repeated requests for postponement

UDF has alternative plan for Keralas development, claims Satheesan

Special Intensive Revision: fake voters in Palakkad Lok Sabha, Assembly constituencies, allege BJP

Ticket number JD 545542 wins Pooja bumper lottery

Army JCO, Agniveer Die In Separate Accidents In J&Ks Poonch

Mendhar/Jammu, Nov 22: A junior commissioned officer (JCO) of the Army and an Agniveer died in separate incidents in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Saturday. JCO Sajeesh K, a resident of Kerala, was leading a search party in the Seri Mastan area of Behramgalla on Friday evening when he lost balance while negotiating a steep slope and fell into a deep gorge, the officials said Army troops launched a rescue operation and recovered the body of [] The post Army JCO, Agniveer Die In Separate Accidents In J&Ks Poonch appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Revised fitness test fee sparks State-wide protest from motorists

Fishermen list long-standing woes ahead of local polls in Kozhikode district

They say an affordable housing scheme without relocating them from the existing location is the top priority which they want to materialise with the support of local administrators

Sabarimala spot booking to be raised based on daily footfall

Review meeting resolves to address shortcomings in the crowd-management arrangements. At present, an average of 70 pilgrims climb the 18 holy steps each minute. This will be raised to 85, allowing more devotees to have darshan

LDF faces internal rift in Thrissur Corporation over seat allocation

Kerala Congress (M) fields rebel candidates in three general divisions

Union government approves heritage mission for Kumaranalloor manuscripts

Among the 14 research institutions approved by the Mission across India, Sevadhi has been classified as an independent research institute

IAV develops tests for checking the efficacy of anti rabies vaccination

Special Intensive Revision: Efforts on track down untraceable voters

Labour codes: Kerala Minister assures not to adopt any anti-worker stand

Kerala Minister V Sivankutty has assured that the state government will not adopt an anti-worker stance while implementing the new central labour codes. The government is carefully evaluating the reforms, which aim for universal social security and improved worker rights. Discussions with trade unions and industry representatives will shape state-level rules.

ED says Anwar could not explain the surge in his assets from 14 crore to 64 crore in five years

The ED had conducted search operations at multiple premises linked to Mr. Anwar and others on Friday

MVD seizes 15 jazzed up tourist buses in Ernakulam

Counsellor suspended in Palathayi POCSO case after criticism by court

Allegations surfaced that the counsellor with the Women and Child Development department mentally harassed the survivor during the case

Rain powered by low-pressure area to continue; yellow alert for 7 districts on November 23

The rainfall activity is likely to be more vigorous in parts of south and central Kerala until the system weakens

Kerala aids mass migration of second generation of nurses to Germany

The mass recruitment of nurses is being managed jointly by Kerala govt. and German Federal Employment Agency

Rain to gain strength in south, central Kerala; yellow alert for four districts on November 22

Thiruvananthapuram recorded the highest amount of rainfall during the last 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. on Saturday

'Vivah' in real life: Kerala hospital's emergency room turns into wedding venue in Kochi, video goes viral. Here's what happened

It was an emotional scene at one of the emergency rooms at a hospital in Kerala's Kochi where a man married the injured bride. The couple Avani and V M Sharon were forced to tie the knot in the hospital after the bride met with an accident and sustained serious injuries. With the permission of hospital authorities, the marriage of Avani of Kommadi, Alappuzha and V M Sharon of Thumboli was solemnised at VPS Lakeshore Hospital, Kochi.

BLOs not pressured, focus on timely completion of SIR: Kerala chief electoral officer

Ratan U Kelkar, the Chief Electoral Officer for Kerala, emphasized that Booth Level Officers are getting comprehensive support for the electoral roll revision process. The focus is on achieving targets efficiently without imposing pressure. District collectors have been instructed to lend their full assistance to BLOs.

Trip on vintage charm with Vrischikolsavam in Tripunithura

Every year, the sleepy town of Tripunithura is jolted into a socio-cultural melange with the onset of Vrischikolsavam , the festival held in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (NovemberDecember). Held at the Poornathrayeesa Temple, this years eight-day festival began on November 19. It will conclude with the aarattu on November 26. It is believed that when the Perumpadappu Swaroopam (the erstwhile kingdom of Cochin) shifted its capital from earlier centres such as Mahodayapuram and later Thrissur to Tripunithura around the 14th century, the worship of Poornathrayeesa (Lord Krishna) acquired deeper political and familial significance, establishing the deity as the family god of the Cochin royal house. The temples annual Vrischikam festival subsequently evolved into the Rajotsavam , the official royal festival of the Cochin kingdom. Over the years, the festival has grown beyond its religious and royal origins to become a hotspot for Keralas major temple art forms, widening its popularity across communities. The temple premises transform into a vibrant 24-hour stage where performances unfold around the clock. Each day offers a curated roster featuring Panchari Melam and Thayambaka, Kathakali, Ottanthullal, and classical vocal and instrumental concerts. The ensemble Panchari Melam sets the primary auditory tone of the festival, giving the processions their momentum. This is also where a Tripunithura native often encounters a long-lost friend, a distant relative or gains new ulsavam buddies. Vrischikolsavam is anchored as much in musical rigour as in visual pageantry. Connoisseurs mark their calendars for specific melams often led by renowned maestros. Discussions on kalapramanam (tempo) and nadasoukhyam (tonal richness) continue long after the last beat of the chenda. The festival concludes on the eighth day with the aarattu at the Chakkamkulangara Temple, where the idol is taken for a ceremonial bath.

Kerala Lottery Pooja Bumper BR-106 Result 2025 Today: First Prize Rs 12 Crore

Kerala Lottery Result Today Live Updates, November 22, 2025: Check the complete list of winning numbers for the Pooja Bumper BR-106 lottery draw held on Saturday.

BJP cancels membership of Yuva Morcha leader arrested for assaulting live-in partner in Kerala

Gopu Paramasivan, a native of Thevara, was arrested on Friday (November 21) after allegedly assaulting his live-in partner at their rented house in Vyttila

Work from Kerala makes state a preferred hub for professionals, start-ups: Minister Rajeeve

Minister emphasises industrial policy and reverse migration trends at TiE Kerala Awards

Kerala cybercrime police probe Fake Video of Chief election commissioner

Thiruvananthapuram: A case has been registered by the Cyber Wing of the Kerala Police after a fabricated post featuring a morphed image and edited video of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was circulated on social media ahead of the Kerala local body elections. The misleading content, traced initially to the social media platform X, allegedly 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 .

Unidentified woman found dead in Kochi; man seen sitting beside body detained

The police said it is suspected that George murdered the woman following a financial dispute and his attempt to abandon the body failed as he was allegedly drunk and too tired

Kerala local body polls: Defections, narrow margins define fierce battle for Koothattukulam

Despite setbacks, both fronts remain confident of wresting power in the upcoming election

Woman found murdered, body wrapped in sack in Kochi

KOCHI: An unidentified woman was found murdered and wrapped in a plastic sack in the compound of a house in Thevara here, police said on Saturday. The body, discovered on the tiled courtyard beside the house, was first spotted by the volunteers of Haritha Karma Sena, the cleaning squad. The house owner was also found near the body. They soon informed the local councillor who in turn alerted the police. As per the preliminary investigation, the man was in relationship with the woman and murdered her following an argument. An investigation is on to find out the exact reason and method of killing, a police officer said. His arrest would be recorded soon and a probe is on to find out the details of the deceased woman, police added.

Case registered over circulation of fake video of Chief Election Commissioner

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A case has been registered after a fake video of the Chief Election Commissioner related to the local body election in Kerala circulated on social media platforms, officials said on Saturday. According to officials, Thiruvananthapuram City Cyber Police registered a case after the fake video was found during cyber patrolling operations on Friday. Police []

1.08 lakh aspirants file papers for local body polls in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As many as 1.08 lakh candidates filed a total of 1.64 lakh nominations for the local body elections scheduled in December, the State Election Commission said on Friday, the last day to file the papers. At 57,227, women aspirants outnumber men. Malappuram had the highest number of candidates and nominations 13,595 and 19,959, respectively while Wayanad had the lowest at 3,180 candidates and 5,227 nominations. The lone transgender candidate from Thiruvananthapuram submitted three sets of papers. Scrutiny of nominations will be done on Saturday. A final picture of those in the fray will emerge after the last date of withdrawing nominations on Monday. In Kannur, six LDF candidates are unopposed. They are K Rajitha and K Premarajan (Anthoor municipality), I V Othenan and C K Shreya (Malapattam grama panchayat), and Rethi P and Reshma P V (Kannapuram grama panchayat).

Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Starbucks Announce a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP) to Strengthen the Coffee Value Chain from Bean to Cup

Established under a strategic collaboration between Starbucks Coffee Company & Tata Starbucks, the FSP aims to empower 10,000 Indian coffee farmers by 2030  Starbucks will open its 500th coffeehouse in India this week in Delhi NCR — a Starbucks Reserve® location offering a premium and immersive coffee experience    Reaffirming its long-term commitment to India, and its plans to deepen its coffee leadership in the market, Starbucks Coffee Company today announced the establishment of a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP). In collaboration with Tata Starbucks Private Limited, the FSP will connect local agronomists and farmers to global farming best practices through open-source agronomy.    Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Starbucks re-affirm coffee leadership and announce a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP) to strengthen the coffee value chain from Bean to Cup Strengthening India’s coffee value chain from bean to cup Starbucks Coffee Trading Company, SARL (SCTC), Starbucks global procurement and trading subsidiary, will collaborate closely with Tata Starbucks to empower 10,000 farmers by 2030. The FSP based in Karnataka will combine Tata Starbucks deep local knowledge, India’s coffee-growing heritage, and decades of Starbucks global agronomy expertise. It will support farmers from India’s key coffee growing states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala to strengthen connections with Starbucks global network, drive innovation, and share best practices in farming and sustainability to ensure a sustainable future for India coffee. The FSP will set up technical “model farms” in partnership with farmers in India, incorporating global learnings, to embed best practices in coffee agronomy and test sustainable solutions. The FSP in India will serve as a hub for testing new varietals, provide knowledge on innovative farming techniques aligned to Indian practices and conditions, and share insights about other agroforestry initiatives to improve coffee quality, productivity and climate resiliency. The goal is to build upon traditional methods to help farmers improve both the quality of their crops and their profitability. The FSP will work closely with existing centers of excellence within the Starbucks global network. This includes partnering with Farmer Support Centers (FSC) in coffee-growing regions around the world, where agronomists collaborate directly with farmers on research, and learning from existing “model farms” within Starbucks supply chain. This network includes FSCs in the APAC region in North Sumatra, Indonesia and Yunnan, China and Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica, Starbucks first company-operated coffee farm and headquarters to the Starbucks Costa Rica Farmer Support Center and Starbucks Global Research and Development team. Through the FSP, Indian farmers will also benefit from Starbucks 2026 global digital training tools, which will offer detailed online modules on agronomy, coffee quality, and C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) practices to foster ethical sourcing and ultimately enhance productivity and sustainability. It will also educate farmers about Regen-Ag (regenerative agriculture) practices and methods to reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints, and contribute to agroforestry and social development initiatives. The FSP will develop projects across the key Starbucks commitments of unlocking coffee productivity, increasing farm profitability and building climate resiliency over the next 5 years. To build capability and strengthen India’s entire coffee value chain, Tata Starbucks will also donate one million high-yield variety Arabica seedlings to farmers over the next five years. During his visit to India this week, Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks said, “India is one of our fastest-growing markets. We’re partnering with Tata to shape the future of coffee in India, including supporting farmers, empowering communities, and delivering the highest quality offerings to our customers. It’s a long-term commitment to build a stronger, more sustainable coffee ecosystem that benefits everyone, from bean to cup .” Sunil D'Souza, Managing Director & CEO at Tata Consumer Products said, “ Through the past decade, together, Tata Consumer Products and Starbucks, have helped shape India’s thriving coffee culture and industry. With this new initiative, we are pleased to pair Starbucks global agronomy expertise with Tata’s footprint in India to drive tangible impact and pave the way for the future of responsible coffee farming in India .” Re-affirming Starbucks coffee leadership through differentiated and elevated experiences Since its inception in 2012 as a joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Consumer Products, Tata Starbucks has been dedicated to delivering the unique Starbucks Experience to customers in India. This has set the stage for India’s ever evolving and dynamic coffee culture. This week, Tata Starbucks will celebrate the opening of its 500th coffeehouse in India, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey and reaffirming its long-term commitment to the market. As one of Starbucks fastest-growing international markets, India remains central to the company’s plans for strategic and sustainable expansion, with continued focus on job creation and meaningful development opportunities for its partners (employees).  The 500th coffeehouse will be the second location to offer a Starbucks Reserve® coffee experience in Delhi NCR, engaging coffee enthusiasts with an immersive experience that showcases Starbucks coffee craft, heritage, and storytelling. The coffeehouse and its Starbucks Reserve® experience underscore Tata Starbucks commitment to elevating India’s coffee craftsmanship through elevated store design, handcrafted beverages, and locally inspired innovations. As part of the global strategy to make Starbucks a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather to enjoy the finest coffee handcrafted by skilled baristas, Tata Starbucks will continue to focus on creating a differentiated and elevated coffee forward experience in India. It invites customers to experience the full flavor profile it offers - serving the world’s finest coffee and elevated offerings in a welcoming coffeehouse environment that has made it a beloved part of India’s coffee landscape. Sushant Dash, chief executive officer of Tata Starbucks said, “ As the largest specialty coffee player in India, we are proud to bring the Farmer Support Partnership in collaboration with SCTC, a meaningful step toward strengthening India’s coffee-growing community and securing the future of high-quality Arabica. Our commitment to India extends beyond growth, to investing in farmers, partners (employees) and customers to continue building a vibrant coffee culture. We will continue to serve the finest Arabica coffee from India and around the world, brought to life through the warm, welcoming third place experience that defines Starbucks .” About Starbucks Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 40,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at about.starbucks.com or  starbucks.com . About Tata Starbucks Private Limited Starbucks entered the Indian market in October 2012 through a 50/50 Joint Venture with Tata Consumer Products Limited and currently operates more than 497 stores in India across 81 cities, Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Alibaug, Amritsar, Anand, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhatinda, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Faridabad, Gandhinagar, Ghaziabad, Goa, Guntur, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Gwalior Haridwar, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Indore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolhapur, Kolkata, Lonavala, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Meerut, Mumbai, Mussoorie, Mysore, Nagpur, Nashik, New Delhi, Noida, Pathankot, Patiala, Pondicherry, Pune, Raipur, Siliguri, Sonipat, Surat, Thrissur, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Vadodara, Vapi, Varanasi, Vijayawada, Varanasi and Vizag are cities in India. through a network of over 4,437 passionate partners (employees). Starbucks stores are operated by the joint venture, Tata Starbucks Private Limited, and branded as Starbucks Coffee - A TATA Alliance.

History gives LDF a slight edge in north Kerala

As part of electioneering, while the LDF is championing the State governments development and welfare schemes, the UDF is drawing attention to the failures of the govt. and highlighting the row over gold theft in the Sabarimala temple. The BJP is no longer a political non-entity in Malabar

Smooth darshan continues, pilgrim turnout crosses five lakh at Sabarimala

SABARIMALA: With crowd pressure easing considerably on Friday, Sabarimala witnessed a smoother darshan experience for devotees even as the pilgrim turnout crossed five lakh since the MandalaMakaravilakku season began on November 16. By 7pm on November 21, the pilgrim count stood at 4,94,151. On Friday alone, up to 7pm, 72,037 pilgrims completed darshan. Reports from the base camp and hill trek not only point to improved crowd flow, but also indicate that the queue has stretched longer in some spots. On various sections of the forest path, waiting periods are rising despite spot-booking controls being in place, said devotees. At the base camp at Nilakkal and along the Pampa-Sannidhanam route, organisers have stepped up various amenities for pilgrims. Those standing in queue for long periods are being provided seating, snacks, and water. Many devotees said the management measures had eased the climb. Officials said the challenge will be on maintaining smooth movement as large batches of devotees are expected to arrive in the days ahead. Meanwhile, the cap of 5,000 spot bookings per day continues to remain in force to avoid overcrowding. Based on sector-based capacity assessments, the TDB authorities have assessed that up to 66,936 pilgrims can be accommodated safely between Pampa and Sannidhanam at any given time, including 12,500 at Pampa, 2,500 around the darshan complex, 1,500 on the flyover, 1,200 at Thirumuttom and 800 on the precincts of Malikappuram. HC RELAXES CAP ON PILGRIM ENTRY Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Friday permitted the Sabarimala executive officer, in coordination with the chief coordinator and the special commissioner, to make minor modifications to the cap imposed by the court on the number of pilgrims visiting the hill shrine. If the inflow of pilgrims is low, the authorities can relax the rule and allow entry to more devotees provided the concentration of pilgrims shall, at all times, remain strictly within the green zone limits, the court said. Travancore Devaswom Boards counsel submitted that after the orders of the court and the curbs imposed on the inflow of pilgrims, crowd density has significantly reduced. It may be appropriate to permit the executive officer and the chief coordinator to take decisions based on the actual inflow of pilgrims. The court allowed the request and adjourned the case regarding crowd management to December 3.

Party will not protect anyone in gold theft case, says CPM state secretary M V Govindan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Facing attack from all corners, CPM state secretary M V Govindan has reiterated that the party would not protect anyone in the Sabarimala gold theft case. The culprits must be punished, he said. It is the declared position of the CPM that not even a speck of gold must be misappropriated. The party stands with the devotees. The chief minister had stated in the assembly that stern action would be taken. We did not take the issue on the basis of party politics. CPM has welcomed the arrests made by the special investigation team. The real culprits must be brought before justice, he said. He also made it clear that the party would examine whether there was any lapse on the part of individuals in discharging duties entrusted to them by the LDF government. It would be applicable to all to whom it is applicable. However, Govindan said that CPM would consider disciplinary action against former TDB president and party leader A Padmakumar only if the court finds him an offender. Now he is only an accused in the case. How can we say that he is an offender? Dismissing the oppositions allegations, he claimed that the Sabarimala issue would not have any effect on the local body election. People know that the intention of the government was sincere. The government could have taken a political decision on the appointment of the new TDB president. However, the government went for a consensus choice. He also said the party does not intend to inquire about the gold theft since it does not involve any organisational issues.

Kerala HC breather for ADGP Ajith Kumar

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday quashed a Vigilance Court order directing an inquiry against ADGP M R Ajith Kumar in a disproportionate assets case. The court said the state governments sanction is needed to initiate proceedings against him in the case that had been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Meanwhile, the court also expunged all disparaging and adverse remarks against the chief minister, who had accepted the vigilance reports as part of official duty, in the order issued by the Vigilance Court. The court issued the order on a petition filed by Ajith Kumar seeking to quash the order of the Vigilance Court, Thiruvananthapuram, that rejected the report of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau giving a clean chit to the officer in an allegation regarding amassing of wealth, and constructing a house spending crores of rupees. The court said the governments sanction is needed to initiate proceedings against him in the case that had been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The petitioners in such cases can re-approach the court if the government accorded the sanction to prosecute the ADGP.

ED raids P V Anvars residences in Rs 22.3-crore KFC loan fraud case

MALAPPURAM: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials on Friday carried out extensive searches at the residences of former Nilambur MLA P V Anvar and his driver Ziyad Ambayathingal in connection with a money laundering probe linked to an alleged loan fraud at the Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC), which reportedly caused a loss of Rs 22.30 crore. The raid, which began around 6.30am, went on for over 12 hours and concluded by 9.30pm. The ED team probing a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, backed by CRPF personnel, reached Anvars house in Othayi early in the morning, secured the premises and commenced the search. A separate team simultaneously searched the KFC Malappuram office, Ziyads house and multiple office establishments linked to Anvar. The probe stems from a vigilance case registered on July 29 by the Thiruvananthapuram Special Investigation Team against KFC Malappuram chief manager Abdul Manaf, deputy manager Mini, technical officer P Muneer Ahmed, former MLA Anvar, and Ziyad. The case is that the loans were sanctioned without adequate collateral and in violation of key procedures. The vigilance probe followed a complaint by a Kollam-based industrialist and planter Murugesh Narendran, who later appeared before the ED and handed over what officials described as crucial evidence pointing to alleged black-money transactions involving Anvar. According to the probe, Ziyad was sanctioned a `7.50-crore loan on September 23, 2015, from the KFC Malappuram branch for construction purposes under Malamkulam Constructions Pvt Ltd., despite insufficient income proof. After there was default on repayment, the same property pledged as collateral was reused to grant two loans of `5 crore each totalling `10 crore to Anvar under PVR Developers on December 8, 2015. Officials allege that Ziyad concealed his existing liability and falsely certified that no dues to KFC existed, enabling disbursal of the later loans. The ED is now scrutinising the financial transactions of Malamkulam Constructions, PVR Developers, and other entities linked to Anvar and Ziyad as part of the money laundering probe.