Kerala News Highlights : CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Veena Vijayan to cooperate with SFIO investigation, says Shaun

4:07 pm: School principal arrested for carrying MDMA in Wayanad

The Vaithiri police arrested a private school principal for carrying 26 grams of MDMA in his pocket during the vehicle inspection in Wayanad.  Jayarajan's panicked reaction during the inspection raised suspicion, prompting the police to conduct a thorough search, leading to the discovery of the illegal substance.
 

---

3:50 pm: CM Pinarayi Vijayan, Veena Vijayan should cooperate with SFIO investigation, says Shaun George

 In a major setback for Kerala Chief Minister's daughter Veena Vijayan, the Karnataka High Court on Friday (Feb 16) rejected a petition filed by her firm Exalogic Solutions, seeking a stay on the SFIO probe. The Karnataka HC ordered that the SFIO probe into the Exalogic-CMRL transactions could continue. Shone George stated that the High Court verdict was a setback for the government. The complainant also stated that if both of them had any decency, the Chief Minister and his daughter should cooperate with the investigation. He also said that the evidence will be released on Monday regarding the role of KSIDC.

---

3:35 pm: Karnataka High Court rejects plea filed by Veena Vijayan's daughter Exalogic over monthly-payment controversy

 The Karnataka High Court dismissed the plea filed by the Chief Minister's daughter Veena Vijayan's company, Exalogic, in the monthly-payment controversy. The Karnataka High Court dismissed Exalogic's petition seeking quashing of the SFIO investigation. The Karnataka High Court ordered that the SFIO probe into the Exalogic-CMRL transactions could continue. One of the company's promoters, the Chief Minister's daughter Veena, is the main accused. 

---

2:53 pm: IMD issues yellow alert in 4 districts as temperature soars in the state

The India Meteorological Department has issued a forecast indicating a potential rise in temperatures across four districts of the state for today and tomorrow (February 16 and 17). Kannur district is expected to experience a high of 38°C, while Kottayam district may reach 37°C. Additionally, Alappuzha and Kozhikode districts are projected to have temperatures reaching 36°C, which is notably 3 to 4 degrees Celsius above the normal range for this time of year.

 

---

2:20 pm: Kinder Hospital organizes music competition for pregnant women in Cherthala

Cherthala: The Kinder Hospital has organized a Spandanam Music Competition for pregnant women in Cherthala. Around 136 pregnant women from different parts of Kerala participated in the competition. The Kinder Hospital Chairman, Dr VK Pradeep Kumar said that this competition was organised with the idea of celebrating pregnancy.
 

---

1:38 pm: Kerala University Senate meeting turns chaotic; War of words between Minister, VC

The Kerala University Senate meeting to elect a representative to the search committee for the appointment of VC turned into chaos. The VC came forward against Minister R Bindu attending the meeting and assuming the chairmanship himself. 

---

1:15 pm:CPI(M) to bring back heavyweights like K K Shailaja for Lok Sabha elections 2024?

Before the Lok Sabha election, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) has activated candidate discussions. The Left party is reportedly considering a list of candidates that includes veterans, newcomers and women in 15 constituencies. While the names of senior leaders including Thomas Isaac and AK Balan are being discussed, the list of potential candidates provided by some district secretariats has come out. 

---

12:35 pm: Auto-rickshaw carrying school children overturned in Pathanamthitta; female driver dies

An autorickshaw carrying schoolchildren overturned and the female driver met a tragic end in Pathanamthitta. The deceased was identified as Anitha. The accident took place near Pathanamthitta. The children escaped without serious injuries.

---

11:57 am: Man dies after being stung by a bee in Idukki

A man died after being stung by a bee in Idukki. Ramachandran (60), a native of Korampara, died. Ramachandran was attacked by a swarm of bees yesterday while he was working on the farm. He died while being taken to Theni Medical College.

---

11:41 am: Elephant calf falls into well in Malayattoor; rescue operation starts

The forest department has initiated action to rescue an elephant calf from a 25-foot-deep rubber plantation at Malayattoor. The rescue operation was delayed due to the presence of an elephant herd near the well.

---

11:26 am: Bison herd spotted near residential areas of Wayanad

After the attacks of wild elephants and tigers, the people in Mananthavady are facing another threat as a herd of bison entered the residential area last day. The locals said that a herd of wild bison is roaming around in the Poothikkad area under Batheri municipality.

The bison arrived in the area on Wednesday evening. The locals first saw them around the check dam and later informed the forest guards. The guards came and chased them; however, the bison left the area. The herd, which was on coffee plantations, moved to the forest areas near the plantations. However, the locals saw them again in the gardens. The residents are afraid to send their children to school and go to work because of the presence of wild bison in the area.

---

11:11 am: Kerala-Centre talks over borrowing limit inconclusive

 Finance Minister of Kerala KN Balagopal on Thursday (Feb 15) said that the discussion between the Centre and the state on the borrowing limit as per the directive of the Supreme Court was unsuccessful. He said that the Centre did not accept the demands made by Kerala. It is clear from the discussion that the Center is unhappy with Kerala filing a case against reducing the borrowing limit.

---

10:54 am: Ernakulam Collector denies permission for Maradu Kottaram temple fireworks

The Collector of Ernakulam has denied permission for fireworks to be held on February 21 and 22 in connection with the festival at Maradu Kottaram Bhagwati Temple. The collector informed that the application for fireworks permission was rejected based on public safety and in the case of past accidents and based on the report given by the Kanayannur Tehsildar, District Fire Officer, and Kochi City Police Commissioner. 

---

10:31 am: Two-member gang steals gold worth Rs 26 lakhs from bank manager by throwing chili powder in eyes

 A two-member gang stole gold jewelry worth Rs 26 lakh by sprinkling chili powder in the eyes of the manager of a private bank in Muvattupuzha.  Rahul, a manager of a private bank operating in Vazhapally, was attacked. The police have intensified the investigation into the matter. The lack of CCTV in the area has hampered the investigation. The police are also investigating whether the bank manager was involved in the accident.

---

10:07 am: Children who went missing found dead in Kallada river

The two children who went missing were found dead in the Kallada river in Kollam last day. The deceased were identified as Adityan and Amal. The initial conclusion is that the children may have met with an accident when they went down to take a bath. 

---

9:55 am:IT dept uncovers tax invasion of Rs 400 crore by Indian Cooperative Credit Society in Thrissur

The Income Tax Department has uncovered tax evasion amounting to Rs 400 crore by the India Cooperative Credit Society (ICCSL) based in Thrissur. Investigations revealed that Rs 1450 crores were disbursed as interest-free loans to paper companies, purportedly for investments. The probe has extended to three teams, including scrutiny of the society's chairman. Currently, inspections are underway at 34 locations nationwide as part of the investigation. Individuals under focus in the scam include society chairman Sojan Avrachan, film producer Ajith Vinayaka, and Vadodra resident Yatin Gupta.

---

9:33 am: Kerala's first Tribal Youth Fashion show to be held in Sulthan Bathery from February 17; Check

The tribal groups including young men and women are preparing for the Tribal Youth Fashion show in Kerala. Around 20 people from Kattunayakar and Paniya tribal groups will participate in the fashion show held at Sulthan Bathery Sapta Resort Hotel on February 17- February 18. The Ernakulam-based DFF Company is organizing a fashion show named 'Ecovogue' in collaboration with Sapta Resort Hotel. 

---

9:00 am: Kerala police warns against theft by scrap dealers

Police have issued warnings that gangs are present in the state and that they steal from homes by pretending to collect scrap items. The police warning is predicated on a description of the women-only group's tactics of theft. The other day, Thrissur City reported one such incident. A total of twenty sovereign gold was stolen from a house. When strangers enter a home, individuals should exercise extreme caution, according to the police.

---

8:36 am: California family murder: Anand killed his wife and committed suicide; police await kids' autopsy report

 Four members of a family from Kollam were found dead inside their home in California on Tuesday( 13 Feb). Anand Sujith Henry (42), his wife Alice Priyanka (40), and their twin children Noah and Neithan (4) were found dead. The initial reports were that the death was caused by inhaling poisonous gas. However, the police confirmed that husband Anand killed his wife and committed suicide and his wife has multiple gunshot wounds. The police also informed that the cause of death of the children will be disclosed only after the post-mortem report. Read more

---

8:14 am: 10-class student found dead inside her home in Varkala

 A 10th-class student was found hanging dead inside her house in Varkala. The deceased was identified as Akhila. The child was found hanging dead in the bedroom at 7 pm yesterday. The body was shifted to Varkala Taluk Hospital. The Ayiroor police registered a case of unnatural death.

---

8:08 am: Karnataka HC to hear plea to quash SFIO investigation on Veena Vijayan's Exalogic company today

The Karnataka High Court will pass an interim order on a petition filed by Exalogic Company seeking to quash the investigation by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office.A bench headed by Justice M Nagaprasanna will pass the interim judgment today at 2.30 pm. One of the company's promoters, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena, is the main accused.