Kerala News Highlights: SC rejects plea of DYFI leader over student assault case in Pathanamthitta
4:16 pm: More information revealed on petition filed by Exalogy in Karnataka HC
The details of the petition filed by Exalogy in the Karnataka High Court seeking a stay on the SFIO investigation in the case involving Chief Minister's daughter Veena Vijayan have been released. In the petition, Exalogy has requested that the order announcing the SFIO inquiry be quashed. In the petition, Exalogy is seeking to provide the information on which the order announcing the inquiry is based and to stay further proceedings.
3:30 pm: HC orders probe against Guruvayur Elephant camp, action against mahouts who beat elephants
The Kerala High Court lashed out at the Devaswom Board on Friday (Feb 09) in the case of beating up elephants at the Guruvayur Elephant Camp (Anakkotta). The court asked whether the Devaswom Board knew what was going on in the Anakkotta. The court directed the flying squad DFO to conduct an urgent inspection at the camp and also directed them to take action against those who tame the elephants with iron rods.
2:50 pm:Veena Vijayan trying to obstruct SFIO probe in 'monthly payment' case, says BJP over moving Karnataka HC
BJP State President K. Surendran has alleged that Exalogic has approached the Karnataka High Court to block the SFIO investigation in the monthly payment controversy. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter Veena Vijayan are trying to obstruct the investigation when the CPM party says that there should be an investigation.
Read more: Kerala: Veena Vijayan trying to obstruct SFIO probe in 'monthly payment' case, says BJP
2:00 pm: Kerala dismisses Centre's claim of 224% tax share given to the state
The state government rejected the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's claim regarding the Centre's assistance to Kerala. The state government clarified that the tax share is not a free right of the Centre and it has not raised the allegation that the tax share has decreased.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday released the figures of central funds received by Kerala during the NDA-led Modi government. She said that Kerala was given a 224% tax share more than during the UPA government. From 2004 to 2014, the tax allocation to Kerala was Rs 46,303 crore during the UPA regime. However, in the NDA regime, Kerala has received Rs 1,50,140 crore as tax share. During the UPA regime, Kerala received Rs 25,692 crore as a grant, but Rs 1,43,117 crore was given as a grant in ten years.
12:22 pm: Deputy Range Officer suspended for sending obscene message to female employees in Idukki
The Deputy Range Officer of Nagarampara Forest Department was suspended for sending obscene messages to two lady staff in Idukki. KC Vinod was suspended on the complaint of two female employees. The complaint stated that the officer had mentally harassed them at work.
12:09 pm: Deputy Range Officer suspended for sending obscene message to female employees in Idukki
The Deputy Range Officer of Nagaramapara Forest Department was suspended for sending obscene messages to two lady staff in Idukki. KC Vinod was suspended on the complaint of two female employees. The complaint stated that the officer had mentally harassed them at work.
The complaint also stated that she objected to the obscene conversation during the working hours. The employees also stated that along with disrespectful behavior, leave is not granted even when they have health problems. The Internal Complaints Committee and DFO Kottayam conducted a preliminary inquiry into the incident.
11:51 am: Housewife dies after collapsing while traveling in bike
A housewife died after collapsing from her bike while returning home after taking medicine from the hospital. Lilly Joseph (38), wife of Joseph (Biju), died. Due to his illness, Panamaram reached the primary health center and while returning home after seeing the doctor, he fell off his bike.
11:26 am: NIA court sentences ISIS operative Riyas Aboobacker to 10 years in jail
The NIA court in Kochi sentenced convict and terrorist Riyas Aboobacker to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment on Friday (Feb 09). He was found guilty of planning to carry out suicide attacks in Kerala on Wednesday (Feb 07). The 33-year-old man, a native of Palakkad's Kollengode, was found guilty under sections 38 and 39 of the UAPA and 120B of the IPC. He was the sole accused in the case and was arrested by the NIA on May 15, 2018.
11:03 am: Even after 19 days of assistant public prosecutor's suicide, probe in limbo
The investigation team has faced criticism for not questioning the officials who were subject to departmental actions, even after 19 days in Assistant Public Prosecutor Aneeshya's suicide case. Meanwhile, the investigation team has gathered official documents, including the laptop used in Aneeshya's office, as part of their ongoing efforts. The City Crime Branch justifies its approach by stating that it prefers to conduct interrogations after obtaining scientific evidence.
10:43 am: First special train to Ayodhya commences journey from Kochuveli
The first special train from Kerala to Ayodhya commenced its journey on Friday (Feb 9) from Kochuveli at 10 am. The Ayodhya Yatra is being organized under the leadership of the BJP. Though the passengers have to pay for the ticket, the party will make arrangements for food, accommodation and sightseeing.
The first ‘Aastha’ special train from Kerala comes in the wake of the consecration ceremony of the newly-built Ram temple at Ayodhya and will be operated by IRCTC. The ticket price from Kochuveli to Ayodhya is Rs 3300. Earlier it was announced that special train services would be run from Nagercoil, Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad. It was announced that the first service would start on January 30, however, later it was cancelled.
10:24 am: SC rejects plea of DYFI leader over student assault case in Pathanamthitta
The Supreme Court also rejected the plea of DYFI leader Jason Josephine in the case of assaulting a law student of Mount Zion Law College. The Supreme Court was approached challenging the High Court's order rejecting the anticipatory bail plea. Jason, who is also a CPM Perunad area committee member, was not arrested by the police despite the High Court rejecting his bail on January 9
10:09 am: NIA conducts raid in Palakkad over case against Maoist leader arrested in Telangana
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday (Feb 08) conducted raids at multiple locations in Palakkad and reportedly in Malappuram too in connection with a UAPA case in Telangana. The NIA team raided the flat of human rights activist CP Rasheed's brother Ismail. The Hyderabad team seized Ismail's phone. A raid was also conducted at CP Rasheed's family house in Malappuram yesterday. The raid started at 4 am and lasted till 9 pm.
9:42 am: Papanasam Beach in Varkala featured among world's best 100 beaches
The Varkala Papanasam beach has been featured among Lonely Planet’s “Best Beaches: 100 of the World’s Most Incredible Beaches’ guidebook. Lonely Planet's beach guidebook has chosen Papanasham among the beautiful beaches that travelers should visit.
Papanasam Beach, also known as Varkala Beach, is situated in the Thiruvananthapuram district. It's a popular tourist spot known for its beautiful views of the Arabian Sea and its tranquil atmosphere. The beach features silvery sand and is surrounded by coconut palm trees. Many tourists visit for its serene ambiance and the opportunity for relaxation. Additionally, there are spas located along the laterite cliffs nearby, offering therapeutic experiences to visitors.
9:17 am: Titanic-like shipwreck allegedly sank for years found by scuba team in Varkala
Thiruvananthapuram: A scuba team captured footage of a decades-old ship from the bottom of the sea in Varkala. The ship was found at a depth of 45 meters near the Nedunganda coast near Anchuthengu Fort. The ship is believed to be the remains of a Dutch ship that sunk off the coast of Varkala centuries ago.
9:08 am: First train from Kerala to Ayodhya to commence today from Kochuveli
The first train from Kerala to Ayodhya will leave today. The flag-off of the train journey is in the morning from Kochuveli, Thiruvananthapuram. The Ayodhya Yatra is being organized under the leadership of the BJP.
8:43 am: KSRTC bus collides with truck in Thrissur
Many people were injured as a KSRTC bus collided with a truck in Thrissur. The accident happened around 4 a.m. today. Around four people were seriously injured and admitted to Apollo Hospital.
8:28 am: Food Safety Department suspends 1663 establishments for not having registration or license
Health Minister Veena George said that the Food Safety Department has inspected 13,100 establishments across the state as part of Operation FOSCOS to find establishments without registration and licenses. 103 squad members inspected the establishments over four days and 1663 establishments operating without a license or registration were suspended.
8:10 am: NIA court to pronounce verdict against ISIS activist Riyas Aboobacker today
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Kochi will pronounce the verdict against convict and terrorist Riyas Aboobacker on Friday (Feb 09). He was found guilty of planning to carry out suicide attacks in Kerala on Wednesday (Feb 07). The 33-year-old man, a native of Palakkad's Kollengode, was found guilty under sections 38 and 39 of the UAPA and 120B of the IPC. He was the sole accused in the case and was arrested by the NIA on May 15, 2018.