Kerala News Highlights: Exalogic moves Karnataka HC against SFIO probe in alleged monthly payment controversy

4:45 pm: Exalogic moves Karnataka HC against SFIO probe in alleged monthly payment controversy

A petition has been filed in the Karnataka High Court to halt the SFIO investigation against Exalogic. The opposing parties named in the petition are the Central Government and the SFIO Director. The petition was filed by lawyer Kulkarni, and a copy of the petition has been obtained by Asianet News.

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4:21 pm: Ban on liquor sales to be imposed on occasion of Attukal Pongala celebrations

The District Collector has issued an order to ban the operation of liquor shops within Thiruvananthapuram Corporation in view of Attukal Pongala. The ban applies to all liquor vendors in all wards under Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and Vellar Ward of Venganur Grama Panchayat from February 24 at 6 p.m. to February 25 at 6 PM.

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4:00 pm: 53-year-old found dead inside his home in Thrissur

A 53-year-old man was found dead inside his house in Chalakudy. Babu was found dead. The incident took place at a house near Eyevision Hospital in Chalakudy. The forensic experts reached the spot and conducted an examination. After the inquest, the body will be taken for post-mortem. 
 

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3:40 pm: Veena Vijayan did not start the company with her mother's pension, says complainant Shone George

 Shone George, son of BJP leader PC George and the complainant in the monthly payment controversy case has alleged that CM Pinarayi Vijayan's argument that his daughter Veena Vijayan started the company with his wife's pension is wrong. Veena's investment of Rs 1 lakh and loan of Rs 78 lakh are shown in the balance sheet as money used to start the company. Shone claims that the loan of Rs 78 lakhs taken from Veena, the director, is the company's capital. He said that the chief minister misled the assembly and that the assembly committee should investigate the matter.

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2:16 pm: Crime Branch submits charge sheet in 6-year-old kidnapping case in Oyoor

The District Rural Crime Branch has filed a charge sheet on Oyoor kidnapping case today. The accused have been charged with charges punishable up to the death penalty.  Padmakumar, a native of Chathanoor, and his family were arrested in the case of the kidnapping of a six-year-old girl in Kollam. Padmakumar, his wife Anitha, and daughter Anupama were arrested. The police took all three of them into custody from Thenkasi on December 1. 
 

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1:33 pm: 32-year-old arrested for snatching gold chain in Thiruvananthapuram

A 32-year-old was arrested for snatching a gold chain from a retired SI's home in Thiruvananthapuram. Jayalakshmi( 32) was arrested by Vattiyoorkkav police. The incident happened on Wednesday afternoon. 
 

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1:01 pm: Kerala CM leads protest to Jantar Mantar against union government in Delhi

Kerala and Tamil Nadu, along with neighboring Karnataka, are protesting against the BJP-led central government, alleging unfair treatment and neglect in fund allocation at Jantar Mantar today. CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that more leaders will come to support Kerala's struggle against central government neglect. The CM stated that this is a fight for the rights of the states. 

In addition to the Chief Minister, ministers, LDF MLAs, and MPs are actively engaged in the protest dharna. The Chief Minister and other leaders commenced their march from Kerala House around 10:30 in the morning. They marched from the Kerala House to Jantar Mantar with a banner that read 'Fight to protect Federalism'. Notably, senior CPM leaders like Sitaram Yechury, along with representatives from the DMK and AAP, are also joining in the protest to support the cause.

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12:29 pm: Employees admitted after breathing poisoned air at factory in Palakkad

In Kanchikod, Palakkad, workers at the Agasthyan Textiles and Garments factory were admitted after breathing poisoned air. Within three days, 20 people were taken to the hospital. Currently, 15 workers remain hospitalized, with three of them in intensive care.
 

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12:18 pm: Man jumped from Venad Express train found hours later with severe injuries

A young man who jumped from the Venad Express in front of fellow passengers was found with serious injuries. After the search, the young man was found in the bushes. The incident happened on Wednesday at 6.30 pm when Ansar Khan, a native of Panmana, Kollam jumped from the train while fellow passengers were watching.

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11:46 am: Kerala govt lying about Rs 57,800 cr due from Centre, says V D Satheesan amid state's protest in Delhi

Opposition leader V D Satheesan explained why the Congress in Kerala is not supporting the protest being conducted by the ruling Left government in Delhi today. He said that the central government is not responsible for the financial crisis in Kerala. Satheesan said that the state government's claim that Rs 57,800 crores are to be received from the Centre is an absolute lie. He said that the tax collection is a failure in Kerala.

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11:02 am: Kerala CM reaches Jantar Mantar to hold protest against union govt in Delhi 

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10:40 am: Kollam kidnapping case: Charge sheet to be submitted today 

The charge sheet will be submitted today in the case of the abduction of a six-year-old girl in Kollam. The investigation was conducted by a team led by Crime Branch DySP MM Josin. The charge sheet will be filed in the Kottarakkara court. There are only three accused in the case. 
 

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10:05 am: HC to hear petition seeking release of body of same-sex partner in Kochi

The High Court will consider a petition seeking to release the body of a same-sex partner in Kochi. The petition was filed by Jebin requesting the release of Manu's body from the hospital. The High Court has directed to produce the inquest report and post-mortem report regarding Manu's death today. 
 

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9:41 am: Centre's Bharat Rice sale begins in Thrissur

The central government's subsidised Bharat Rice sale began in the Thrissur district on Wednesday. The price of the rice for 1 kg is Rs 29. In Thrissur, 150 sacks of "Ponni" rice have been sold thus far. The rice was given via NCCF (National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India) shops in the state. By next week, the NCCF officials said, the government plans to have "Bharat rice" available throughout the state. Loads of trucks and vans transport the rice sacks from godowns to different parts of the state.

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9:23 am: Impersonation attempt thwarted during PSC exam in Thiruvananthapuram; investigation started

Thiruvananthapuram: During Wednesday's PSC exam at Poojappura Chinnamma Memorial Girls School, an attempt at impersonation was foiled. During the biometric verification process, the fraud allegedly fled the examination hall. The incident occurred during the early morning university LGS exam. The investigation has been intensified to find the accused under the leadership of Poojappura SHO.
 

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9:00 am: Police register case over suicide of old man in PF office in Delhi

The police have registered a case over the suicide of an old man after consuming poison at the Kochi PF office last day. A case has been registered as an unnatural death by the Kochi North Police in the death of Sivaraman, a native of Thrissur Perampra. The police informed that they will consider adding more departments as soon as they get the information.

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8:40 am: Malayalam art associate director collapses while shooting; seeks financial aid for treatment

Sajeev, an art associate director in the film industry and his wife Rama, are seeking medical help due to serious illness. Both of them are unable to continue their lives as Sajeev has TB in the brain and his wife has been diagnosed with cancer.

Sajeev, a native of Payyannur has worked in many Malayalam films including Ennu Ninte Moideen, How Old Are You, Maheshinte prathikaram, Take Off, and many more. The couple has been living in a rented house in Thiruvananthapuram for many years. Upon examination, the disease was confirmed, leading to numerous surgeries, and later became bedridden.

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8:18 am: 'Foreign university not recommended by higher education, says Dr Rajan Guru

 Dr. Rajan Gurukal, Kerala State Higher Education Council Vice Chairman, said that the higher education council did not recommend foreign universities in the budget. Rajan Gurukal told Asianet News that the higher education minister was not aware of organizing the conclave for policy formulation.

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8:07 am: Kerala to hold protest under the leadership of CM Pinarayi Vijayan against union govt in Delhi

A protest dharna will be conducted under the leadership of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the central government's neglect in Delhi today. Apart from the Chief Minister, ministers, LDF MLAs and MPs will also participate in the protest dharna. The Chief Minister and leaders will come to Jantar Mantar in a march from Kerala House around 10:30 in the morning. The protest will end at 1 pm.