Page 2 - Kerala

Why Kerala is on alert over two diseases: Shigellosis and West Nile fever

The state has intensified surveillance and disease-control measures as shigellosis cases rise and a second suspected West Nile death emerges

ED approaches court seeking SFIO documents in CMRL money laundering case

The ED, which is probing a money laundering case linked to CMRL and involving former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter Veena T, has approached a court here seeking access to documents collected by the SFIO during its investigation into the matter. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a petition before the Special Court for the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Kochi seeking copies of documents gathered by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), which had investigated alleged "fake" expenses admitted by Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) before the Income Tax Settlement Commission. ED sources said the documents sought by the agency include records related to Exalogic Solutions Private Limited, the company owned by Veena, which was engaged in IT consultancy services. The agency has requested the court to direct the SFIO to provide copies of documents collected during its investigation. The petition is likely to be considered next week. The ED pr

Monsoon reaches Kerala, three days later than usual amid El Nino scare

The onset of rains marks the start of the monsoon's four-month-long journey over the Indian mainland that ends in September

Monsoon reaches Kerala after three day delay, brings relief from heatwave

Last month, the India Meteorological ‌Department forecast an El Nino-weakened monsoon in 2026 that ‌will bring ​the lowest rainfall ​in 11 years

Violence breaks outside Pinarayi's home as ED raids premises in CMRL case

A sense of rude shock gripped Kerala on Wednesday as ED officials raided the places linked to former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the state in the alleged CMRL monthly payment case, allegedly involving his daughter. Armed central security personnel stood guard outside the two-storey house at Bakery junction and his residence in Kannur district while Enforcement Directorate (ED) teams carried out searches there. Television reporters, cameramen and photographers rushed to the places soon after news of the raid broke. Sources said Vijayan, a politburo member of the CPI(M), and his family members were inside his rented residence at Bakery junction in the state capital during the searches. Simultaneous raids were also being conducted at the Kozhikode residence of his son-in-law and former minister P A Mohammed Riyas. CPI(M) workers assembled outside Vijayan's residence in Pinarayi village in Kannur district and raised slogans against the ED, alleging it was a "politically motivat

ED searches Pinarayi Vijayan's residence in CMRL money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday conducted searches at the residence of former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others as part of its investigation into the CMRL money laundering case, officials said. They said a total of 10 premsies in the state, including Vijayan's rental house in the state capital here, are being raided under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). It is alleged that a private company named Cochin Minerals And Rutile Ltd (CMRL), made an illegal payment of Rs 1.72 crore to Vijayan's daughter T Veena's company -- Exalogic Solutions -- during 2018 to 2019, even though the IT firm had not provided any service to the company. On Tuesday, the Kerala High Court dismissed a petition filed by the CMRL seeking to quash the ED proceedings in the case. The ED had filed a PMLA case to probe the allegations in 2024.

V D Satheesan meets Sonia, Rahul during first Delhi visit as Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Saturday met top Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge during his first visit to Delhi after assuming office. Satheesan also called on AICC general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during the visit. The chief minister, who arrived in the national capital late on Friday night, thanked the Congress high command for its support during the Assembly election campaign, party sources said. According to sources, organisational matters and things related to the functioning of the newly formed UDF government in Kerala figured prominently in the discussions with senior leaders. The visit also comes amid discussions within the Congress over the appointment of a new Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president. There were indications that the CM may also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an available day next week, though there was no immediate officia

A 'balanced' chief minister: Kerala's new CM faces a tough balancing act

There's no denying that the new Kerala CM is swimming in a sea of sharks. He must prove that he can fend them off

Kerala govt forms first-ever AI Ministry; PK Kunhalikutty gets charge

The state government officially released the notification for the allocation of portfolios among its cabinet members, with Chief Minister VD Satheesan retaining several key departments

Kerala govt scraps Silverline project, to revoke land acquisition notices

Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said that his government has decided to scrap the Silverline high-speed rail project, an ambitious initiative of the previous LDF administration. Satheesan said at a press conference here that the notifications with regard to acquiring land for the project will be revoked. Besides that, the government will also recommend withdrawal of the criminal cases lodged against those who opposed the Silverline project, and it will be subject to the court's decision, the CM said after a Cabinet meeting chaired by him. The cabinet also decided to extend the validity of the public service commission's rank lists till November 30, as hardly any appointments were made during the election period, Satheesan said.

Kerala govt forms expert panel to prepare white paper on state finance

The UDF government on Tuesday announced the formation of a special committee to prepare a white paper on Kerala's financial position, following the first UDF Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister V D Satheesan. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting of senior Finance Department officials chaired by the chief minister. According to a CMO statement, the committee will be headed by former Cabinet Secretary Dr K M Chandrasekhar. Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) K R Jyothilal has been appointed as the Convener. The panel will also include economist Dr Narayana and Centre for Development Studies (CDS) Director Dr Veeramani as members, the statement said. The white paper is expected to provide a clearer picture of the state's financial health and help guide future policy decisions, the statement added. The UDF has been alleging that the state's finances were in trouble due to mismanagement under the Left rule, an allegation that was strongly rejected by then Finance Minis

VD Satheesan sworn in as Kerala CM, 20 Cabinet ministers also take oath

V D Satheesan on Monday took oath as Kerala's Chief Minister, and Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to the Congress Legislature Party leader here. Satheesan took oath in the name of God. Besides Satheesan, his 20-member Cabinet will also be sworn in by the Governor. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others, attended the swearing-in ceremony. Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states, former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Left leaders, and BJP representatives also attended the ceremony. Thousands of Congress workers arrived in the state capital from across Kerala for the event. The Assembly elections to the 140-member House were held on April 9, with the results declared on May 4. The Congress-led UDF won 102 seats, while the LDF secured 35 and the BJP won three.

VD Satheesan: Lawyer, debater and face of Congress' comeback, now Kerala CM

Vadasseri Damodara Menon Satheesan, who was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Kerala on Monday, is a lawyer-turned-politician from Kochi who rose through the ranks of the Congress party with a reputation for sharp speeches and organisational discipline. Known for his calm public style and aggressive attacks on the Left government inside the Assembly, V D Satheesan--called VD or VDS by his supporters--became the face of the Congress revival in Kerala after he was made Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly five years ago. As Leader of the Opposition, Satheesan put the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government on defensive mode on various issues, including alleged nepotism and financial irregularities, pushed the Congress towards younger leadership and a more energetic campaign. He led the Congress-led UDF to power in the April 9 polls, marking the alliance's return to power in Kerala after a decade. Supporters see him as practical and accessible, while critics say his biggest

VD Satheesan to take oath as Kerala CM today, UDF cabinet to be sworn-in

After a decade-long Left rule, Kerala is all set for a regime change on Monday, with a 21-member UDF cabinet led by Congress leader V D Satheesan set to be sworn in at the state capital at 10 am. Preparations have been completed at Central Stadium, where a massive stage has been set up for the oath-taking ceremony. Workers have put up temporary rain shelters and arranged seating for thousands of party workers, national political figures, and local dignitaries. Congress president Mallikarjuna Kharge and top party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra among others are scheduled to attend the swearing-in. Kerala joins Karnataka and Telangana to become the third Congress ruled state in south in the recent times. Tight security arrangements have been put in place across the state capital ahead of the high-profile event. Special traffic arrangements have also been made in view of the large number of VIPs and UDF supporters arriving in the city. Traffic and parking regulations

CM-designate V D Satheesan anchors hope on Kerala's blue economy

The CM-designate draws a revival road map amid state's economic challenges, explains Shine Jacob

Southwest monsoon likely to set in over Kerala on May 26, says IMD

The monsoon, the primary rain-bearing system, normally arrives in Kerala around June 1 and advances northwards to cover other parts of the country

Monsoon likely to hit Kerala by May 26; heatwave to prevail over north

The India Meteorological Department on Friday said that the southwest monsoon is likely to set over Kerala on May 26, with a model error of ± 4 days

Vadassery Damodaran Satheesan wins the race for Kerala chief minister

V D Satheesan has emerged as Kerala's next chief minister after the Congress leadership backed the popular Opposition leader following strong support from party workers and the public

NIA takes over probe into seizure of gelatin sticks, detonators in Kerala

The NIA has taken over the probe into the seizure of a large quantity of gelatin sticks and detonators from Tirurangadi in Kerala's Malappuram district in February this year, officials said on Thursday. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the case last month and recently approached the Judicial First Class Magistrate-I court in Parappanangadi seeking transfer of case records to its special court in Kochi, sources said. The case relates to the seizure of 89,600 gelatin sticks concealed in 448 boxes, along with 10,500 non-electric shock tube detonators, from an onion-laden lorry at Chemmad near Tirurangadi on February 7, 2026. Acting on a tip-off, police raided a brick manufacturing unit where a lorry carrying onions was parked and found people unloading the explosives from it. Officials at the Tirurangadi police station said the case has been handed over to the central agency. "We had arrested six persons in connection with the case. Though our probe indicated that th

Labour drift: South India industry feels absence of Bengal, Assam workers

Companies in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are offering incentives to migrant workers amid concerns over jobs, fuel costs and the impact of the West Asia crisis