Thursday, 10 April 2025: A wrap of news and developments in Kerala— Kerala saw major legal, political, and social developments—from ragging case bail to a film set drug bust and Wayanad aid row
Published Apr 10, 2025 | 7:52 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 10, 2025 | 7:52 PM
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi
Synopsis: From the Kottayam ragging accused securing bail to a court convicting a man in a brutal gold heist murder, Kerala saw key legal developments. IAS officer N Prasanth demanded a transparent hearing, while Priyanka Gandhi slammed the Centre over Wayanad aid. A BJP official’s controversial post and a drug bust on a film set also sparked statewide debate and concern
The Kottayam District Sessions Court has granted bail to five third-year students of Government Nursing College, accused in a brutal ragging case involving the torture of first-year students.
The accused — KP Rahul Raj, Samuel Johnson, NS Jeeva, C Rijil Jith, and NV Vivek — had spent over 50 days in custody.
Despite previous rejections by lower courts, bail was granted considering their age and lack of criminal history. The case revealed disturbing details of physical abuse and highlighted administrative lapses in the college.
Suspended IAS officer N Prasanth will appear before Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan on 16 April. Prasanth has demanded the hearing be audio-visually recorded and live-streamed, calling it a case of constitutional rights and bureaucratic misuse.
Suspended in November 2024 for alleged derogatory remarks, Prasanth claims senior IAS officers fabricated evidence. In a fiery letter, he accused the government of acting out of ego and quoted the Bhagavad Gita to stress the consequences of delusion.
A Thiruvananthapuram court has found Rajendran, a Kanyakumari native, guilty of murdering 38-year-old Vineetha in 2022 to steal her gold.
The verdict was based on circumstantial evidence, including CCTV footage and over 220 documents. The court will decide on the sentence on 21 April, pending mental health reports.
Rajendran, previously accused in a triple murder in Tamil Nadu, had moved to Kerala after being released on bail.
Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the Union government for denying a loan waiver to 2024 landslide victims, calling it a betrayal.
The Centre told the Kerala High Court it would only allow rescheduling under RBI norms. Priyanka said a moratorium is insufficient for people who’ve lost everything, vowing continued support for the affected.
Anoop Antony, BJP’s Kerala media coordinator, stirred controversy by likening a protest near Kozhikode airport to scenes from Gaza or Yemen.
Claiming protestors displayed images of Hamas leaders, he questioned the protest’s real intent. The remarks have drawn criticism online.
Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s angry reaction to the SFIO chargesheet linked to a financial deal involving his daughter.
Satheesan said the issue stems from official investigations, not politics, and must be taken seriously. He warned against dismissing media and opposition scrutiny.
In a 2020 case that shocked Kerala, a Pathanamthitta court has convicted ambulance driver Noufal for raping a COVID-positive woman.
The survivor had secretly recorded his apology. Noufal was charged under IPC and SC/ST Act provisions. The sentence will be pronounced later.
In a major operation, the Kerala Excise Department seized ganja from a stunt artist during a shoot for actor Nivin Pauly’s film Baby Girl in Thiruvananthapuram.
The drugs were hidden in a hollowed-out dictionary. The bust is part of a broader crackdown on drug use in the film industry, with more suspects under watch.
