Tuesday, 6 May 2025: A wrap of news and developments in Kerala— SC reinstated A Raja's MLA status. KGMOA called for universal rabies vaccination.
Published May 06, 2025 | 4:03 PM ⚊ Updated May 06, 2025 | 4:03 PM
Verdict in the 2017 Nanthancode family murder postponed to May 8
Synopsis: Journalist Shajan Skaria was arrested in a defamation case. Verdict in the 2017 Nanthancode family murder was postponed to 8 May. SC reinstated A Raja’s MLA status. KGMOA called for universal rabies vaccination. A man was sentenced to life for killing a teen with a car. A Kollam railway official saved a man from being hit by a train.
Shajan Skaria, editor of Marunadan Malayali, was arrested by Cyber Police at his Kudappanakunnu residence following a defamation complaint from a Mahe-based woman.
She alleged Skaria posted a video with sexually explicit content that tarnished her reputation. Booked under non-bailable sections of the BNS and IT Act, Skaria is currently in custody at the Police Training College, Thycaud.
The case reignites concerns about ethics in digital journalism.
The Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court has postponed the verdict in the 2017 Nanthancode family murder case involving Cadell Jeansen Raja to 8 May.
Accused of killing four family members under the influence of astral projection theories, Raja had pleaded mental illness. However, he was declared fit for trial.
Forensic evidence remains central to the prosecution’s case.
In a major relief to CPI(M), the Supreme Court overturned a Kerala High Court verdict that invalidated A Raja’s election from Devikulam.
The HC had earlier ruled him ineligible due to alleged religious conversion. The apex court noted the absence of any formal objection to his caste certificate and upheld Raja’s claim of belonging to the Hindu-Parayan community.
With rising rabies deaths, the Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association has called for a universal pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) vaccination campaign.
Citing WHO guidelines, the association recommends a phased rollout starting with children and high-risk groups. It also called for better stray dog control and inclusion of PrEP in the National Immunization Programme to meet global 2030 rabies elimination goals.
The Additional Sessions Court-VI sentenced Priyaranjan of Poovachal to life imprisonment for deliberately running over 15-year-old Adisekhar with a car.
The boy had earlier confronted the accused over temple misconduct. CCTV footage was pivotal in securing the conviction. A ₹10 lakh fine was also imposed on Priyaranjan, who is related to the victim.
A middle-aged man from Sasthamkotta narrowly escaped death after slipping while boarding the Vanchinad Express. Railway official Sunil Kumar from Sakthikulangara pulled him to safety just in time.
The heroic act was captured on video and has since gone viral, drawing praise online.
