Kozhikode:

The activists of KSU and MSF on Saturday waved black flags at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in Kozhikode, protesting against the alleged shortage of plus-one (Class 11) seats in schools across the northern Kerala region of Malabar.

Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) and the Muslim Students’ Federation (MSF), the students wing of the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League respectively waved black flags at Vijayan when he reached here to take part in a Kerala NGO Union event.

Nadakkavu police said 12 activists were taken into custody in connection with the Saturday evening protest.

The opposition parties in Kerala are protesting against the apathy of the state government in resolving the issues related to the alleged shortage of plus-one seats in schools of northern Kerala.

The Left government has been facing flak over the issue after a girl student in Parappanangadi in Malappuram district in the region died by suicide on June 11 allegedly over anxiety about whether she would get a seat for plus-one to continue her studies.

While the Congress has been demanding that additional plus-one seats be allotted in schools in the Malabar region to address the alleged shortage of seats there, the Kerala government has claimed that there is no crisis in plus-one admissions at all.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Kochi:

The Kerala High Court today directed that notices be sent to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter T Veena in a petition by Congress legislator Mathew Kuzhalnadan, accusing them of corruption.

On Tuesday, the Director General of Prosecution questioned the petition, but the court, after hearing both the sides, directed notices to be sent to Chief Minister Vijayan and Veena and posted the case for July 2.

Speaking to the media, Mathew Kuzhalnadan said, “This is a normal procedure and now the case will be heard in detail and we will wait for that.”

Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan said the Congress was strongly behind Mathew Kuzhalnadan’s legal fight.

Mathew Kuzhalnadan approached the high court after a vigilance court rejected his plea seeking a court-monitored probe into the allegations of corruption against the Chief Minister and his daughter.

He had sought a probe by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department into the allegations that Veena Vijayan’s IT firm Exalogic got monthly gratification from a Kochi-based mining firm, Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL), for mining sanctions.

Several agencies, including the ED, SFIO and Income Tax Department, have recorded the statements of many people, except T Veena in the case. The case was highlighted by the Congress leader last year based on an Income Tax Settlement Board statement which pointed out that Exalogic received Rs 1.72 crore from CMRL.

A similar petition was earlier filed by a Kochi resident on alleged corruption by Chief Minister Vijayan, but the petitioner died.

Following this, the High Court appointed an amicus curiae. The court today said both petitions, though similar in nature, would be heard separately.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Wayanad:

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a scathing attack against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday for continuously targeting Rahul Gandhi during the just-concluded campaign for the April 26 Lok Sabha polls.

Ms Gandhi also alleged that though the CPI(M) veteran’s name has cropped up in many scams, the Narendra Modi-led Central government had not taken any action against him.

“Even the Chief Minister of Kerala only attacks Rahul Gandhi. He doesn’t attack the BJP. When a man fights for what is right, then all the forces of wrong gather together against him,” Ms Gandhi alleged in corner meetings organised in the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, where her brother Rahul is seeking reelection in the polls on Friday.

She said that many opposition leaders have been put behind bars by the Modi dispensation, but there has been no action against the Kerala chief minister so far.

Her statement came after Mr Vijayan, during his election rallies, criticised Rahul Gandhi over many issues, including the Citizenship Amendment Act, alleging that the Congress leader was silent on the contentious law even during his Bharat Jodo Yatra.

A week ago, the Kerala chief minister had recalled “an old name of Rahul Gandhi” to attack the Congress leader, who had earlier wondered why the Marxist veteran was not jailed by the BJP government at the Centre, unlike two other Chief Ministers of opposition-ruled states.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Unidentified miscreants destroyed the EVMs at the Khongman polling booth during the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, in Imphal East, Manipur on April 19, 2024
| Photo Credit: ANI

Despite heatwave, Phase I of Lok Sabha polls registers 62.37% polling

The voter turnout in the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls on April 19, which sealed the fate of candidates in 102 constituencies across 21 States, was 62.37%. The voting percentage is likely to go upwards when reports from all polling stations are obtained, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said in a statement. The poll body also commended the “high” voter turnout “despite the heatwave”.

T.N. registers 69.46% as polling passes off largely incident-free

The fate of 950 candidates in 39 Lok Sabha constituencies of Tamil Nadu was sealed on April 19, with 69.46% of the electorate turning up to exercise their franchise in a four-cornered contest. Except for a few minor incidents, there was no major untoward incident during the polling, Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo told journalists. 

Manipur Lok Sabha elections | Over 72% votes cast as violence mars polling; 3 arrested

Amid complaints of voter intimidation, booth-capturing, and violence across several polling booths, the first phase of the Lok Sabha election in Manipur concluded on April 19 evening, with officials pegging the average turnout of the State’s two constituencies at 72.17%. Three persons were arrested in connection with the violence.

Donald Trump’s hush money trial | Full jury of 12 people and 6 alternates is seated in New York

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Congress wants EC to take note of BJP’s use of “one issue” to seek votes

The Congress on Friday accused the BJP of using “one particular issue” on social media to attract voters, and urged the Election Commission (EC) to take note of it. “The BJP is using one particular issue on social media as an appeal to voters. This is a flagrant and blatant violation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct, and also of numerous judgments of the Supreme Court,” Congress general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh said.

Congress leaders should advise Rahul Gandhi to withdraw statement urging ED to arrest Pinarayi Vijayan, says Brinda Karat

Congress leaders of Kerala should advise Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his statement inviting the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to arrest Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat has said. Ms. Karat termed Mr. Gandhi’s statement shocking and added that he was strengthening the cause of the BJP by demanding the arrest of the foremost Opposition leader who was fighting the BJP and the Union government on all issues.

Fossils of massive prehistoric snake found in lignite mine in Gujarat

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have reported the discovery of fossils of one of the largest snakes that ever existed and likely lived 47 million years ago during a period called the Middle Eocene. The fossils were found in Kutch, Gujarat, and the reptile, named Vasuki Indicus, could have been anywhere between 10 metres and 15 metres long, or as big as a modern-day school bus.

Great Nicobar’s particularly vulnerable tribal group, Shompen, cast their vote for the first time

For the first time, members of the Shompen, one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the country and who reside in the dense tropical rain forests of the Great Nicobar island, on Friday took part in the election process by casting their votes in the Andaman and Nicobar Lok Sabha constituency.

Left a safer bet than Congress, its leaders not turncoats: Sitaram Yechury

Before hurling allegations at the CPI(M) in Kerala, the Congress will do well to ask itself why a large number of people joining the BJP are Congress leaders, said CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury in an interaction with The Hindu at Parakkandy early this week. “In Kerala, too, people think it’s a safer bet to have the Left which is unlikely to defect to the BJP. In West Bengal and Tripura, we are getting killed. But our leaders don’t become turncoats. That sort of character you require in the party, which the Congress doesn’t have,” Mr. Yechury said.

India delivers first batch of BrahMos to Philippines

India delivered the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Philippines on Friday. In January 2022, Philippines concluded a $375-million deal with India for three batteries of shore-based, anti-ship variant of the BrahMos becoming the first export customer for the joint venture missile between India and Russia.

China sets up powerful information warfare force to support ‘military struggles’

China’s military helmed by President Xi Jinping on April 19 unveiled a powerful information warfare support force in a major overhaul of a largely opaque structure of strategic units with the aim of supporting “military struggles” in all areas.

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Unidentified miscreants destroyed the EVMs at the Khongman polling booth during the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, in Imphal East, Manipur on April 19, 2024
| Photo Credit: ANI

Despite heatwave, Phase I of Lok Sabha polls registers 62.37% polling

The voter turnout in the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls on April 19, which sealed the fate of candidates in 102 constituencies across 21 States, was 62.37%. The voting percentage is likely to go upwards when reports from all polling stations are obtained, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said in a statement. The poll body also commended the “high” voter turnout “despite the heatwave”.

T.N. registers 69.46% as polling passes off largely incident-free

The fate of 950 candidates in 39 Lok Sabha constituencies of Tamil Nadu was sealed on April 19, with 69.46% of the electorate turning up to exercise their franchise in a four-cornered contest. Except for a few minor incidents, there was no major untoward incident during the polling, Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo told journalists. 

Manipur Lok Sabha elections | Over 72% votes cast as violence mars polling; 3 arrested

Amid complaints of voter intimidation, booth-capturing, and violence across several polling booths, the first phase of the Lok Sabha election in Manipur concluded on April 19 evening, with officials pegging the average turnout of the State’s two constituencies at 72.17%. Three persons were arrested in connection with the violence.

Donald Trump’s hush money trial | Full jury of 12 people and 6 alternates is seated in New York

A full jury of 12 people and six alternates was seated on April 19 in Donald Trump’s hush money case, drawing the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president a step closer to opening statements. Lawyers spent days quizzing dozens of New Yorkers to choose the panel that has vowed to put their personal views aside and impartially judge whether the presumptive Republican presidential nominee is guilty or not.

Congress wants EC to take note of BJP’s use of “one issue” to seek votes

The Congress on Friday accused the BJP of using “one particular issue” on social media to attract voters, and urged the Election Commission (EC) to take note of it. “The BJP is using one particular issue on social media as an appeal to voters. This is a flagrant and blatant violation of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct, and also of numerous judgments of the Supreme Court,” Congress general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh said.

Congress leaders should advise Rahul Gandhi to withdraw statement urging ED to arrest Pinarayi Vijayan, says Brinda Karat

Congress leaders of Kerala should advise Rahul Gandhi to withdraw his statement inviting the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to arrest Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat has said. Ms. Karat termed Mr. Gandhi’s statement shocking and added that he was strengthening the cause of the BJP by demanding the arrest of the foremost Opposition leader who was fighting the BJP and the Union government on all issues.

Fossils of massive prehistoric snake found in lignite mine in Gujarat

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have reported the discovery of fossils of one of the largest snakes that ever existed and likely lived 47 million years ago during a period called the Middle Eocene. The fossils were found in Kutch, Gujarat, and the reptile, named Vasuki Indicus, could have been anywhere between 10 metres and 15 metres long, or as big as a modern-day school bus.

Great Nicobar’s particularly vulnerable tribal group, Shompen, cast their vote for the first time

For the first time, members of the Shompen, one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the country and who reside in the dense tropical rain forests of the Great Nicobar island, on Friday took part in the election process by casting their votes in the Andaman and Nicobar Lok Sabha constituency.

Left a safer bet than Congress, its leaders not turncoats: Sitaram Yechury

Before hurling allegations at the CPI(M) in Kerala, the Congress will do well to ask itself why a large number of people joining the BJP are Congress leaders, said CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury in an interaction with The Hindu at Parakkandy early this week. “In Kerala, too, people think it’s a safer bet to have the Left which is unlikely to defect to the BJP. In West Bengal and Tripura, we are getting killed. But our leaders don’t become turncoats. That sort of character you require in the party, which the Congress doesn’t have,” Mr. Yechury said.

India delivers first batch of BrahMos to Philippines

India delivered the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Philippines on Friday. In January 2022, Philippines concluded a $375-million deal with India for three batteries of shore-based, anti-ship variant of the BrahMos becoming the first export customer for the joint venture missile between India and Russia.

China sets up powerful information warfare force to support ‘military struggles’

China’s military helmed by President Xi Jinping on April 19 unveiled a powerful information warfare support force in a major overhaul of a largely opaque structure of strategic units with the aim of supporting “military struggles” in all areas.

IPL-17: LSG vs CSK | Rahul, De Kock fifties propel Lucknow Super Giants to 8-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings

Openers KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock, who made classy fifties on a slow pitch, produced a chasing masterclass to power Lucknow Super Giants to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in their IPL match in Lucknow on April 19.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (file)
| Photo Credit: PTI

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has questioned the “reprehensible silence” of the Congress on the issue of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) in its manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to mediapersons at Cherthala in Alappuzha on April 6 (Saturday), Mr. Vijayan said that unlike the Congress, the manifesto of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI (M)] had pledged to scrap “draconian laws” such as the CAA, Prevention of Money Laundering Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, among others.

“The BJP government has implemented the CAA to polarise society. It is aimed at making Muslims second-class citizens in the country. The Congress and its leadership have been maintaining silence on the CAA. Its manifesto has not promised to repeal the CAA. The silence of the Congress in its manifesto on CAA and other draconian laws points out that the party is not serious about the fight against the Sangh Parivar and its Hindutva agenda,” said Mr. Vijayan, adding that Congress’ decision to omit the CAA from its manifesto was “planned.”

He criticised the BJP for revoking Article 370 (that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir) and hit out at the Congress for “failing to oppose” the Union government’s decision.

‘BJP won’t win any seats in Kerala’

The Chief Minister said the BJP “would not win a single seat from Kerala” in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

“Of the 20 Lok Sabha constituencies in Kerala, the BJP will not even come second in any of the seats. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) will not allow communalism to take root in Kerala. We will oppose the Sangh Parivar with all strength and work to oust them from power at the Centre,” Mr. Vijayan said.

He said the BJP opened the account in Kerala in the 2016 Assembly polls with the help of the Congress. “In the 2011 polls, the UDF bagged 17.38% votes in Nemom. Five years later, the UDF’s vote share in the constituency dipped to 9.7% and the BJP candidate won. In 2021, the LDF reclaimed the seat and closed the BJP’s account in Kerala. The LDF will not change its political stance for votes,” the Chief Minister said.

On the bomb blast near Panur in Kannur that killed one person, Mr. Vijayan said illegal activities would be firmly dealt with. “The CPI(M) has nothing to do with the blast. The police are investigating it,” he said.

Thiruvananthapuram:

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Thursday condemned the Doordarshan’s decision to telecast “The Kerala Story” and asked the public broadcaster to withdraw from screening the controversial movie, saying it would only “exacerbate communal tensions” ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

He also asked the national broadcaster not to become a “propaganda machine” for the BJP and the RSS.

The decision by @DDNational to broadcast the film ‘Kerala Story’, which incites polarisation, is highly condemnable. The national news broadcaster should not become a propaganda machine of the BJP-RSS combine and withdraw from screening a film that only seeks to exacerbate…

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) April 4, 2024

“The decision by @DDNational to broadcast the film ‘Kerala Story’, which incites polarisation, is highly condemnable. The national news broadcaster should not become a propaganda machine of the BJP-RSS combine and withdraw from screening a film that only seeks to exacerbate communal tensions ahead of the general elections.

“Kerala will remain steadfast in opposing such malicious attempts to sow hatred,” Vijayan said in a post on X.

Doordarshan has announced that the movie will be broadcast on April 5.

In a statement, the ruling CPI(M) also asked the public broadcaster to withdraw its decision to telecast the movie.

The party asked it not to stand with the “BJP’s attempt to polarise” the secular Kerala society.

The state secretariat of the CPI(M) alleged that the BJP decided to screen the controversial movie as the general elections are nearing, hoping to advance their political agenda since the saffron party was unable to make inroads in Kerala society.

“This amounts to challenging Kerala. Kerala had witnessed strong protests when it was released. The censor board itself had removed 10 scenes from the movie,” CPI(M) said.

A public sector broadcast service should not stand with the “BJP’s attempt to polarise” the secular Kerala society, it said.

The Kerala High Court had last year refused to stay the release of the film, stating that the movie trailer does not contain anything offensive to any particular community as a whole.

The court had said that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has examined the movie and found that it is suitable for public exhibition.

The movie’s trailer was severely criticised and challenged before the court for “falsely” claiming that 32,000 women from Kerala got converted and radicalised and were deployed in terror missions both in India and the world.

The BJP had alleged that there was an unofficial ban on the movie in the theatres of the state.

Strong protest was held by the CPI(M) and the Congress against the movie when it was released in 2023. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala:

Taking a jibe over former Congress leader Padmaja Venugopal, who is the daughter of former Chief Minister K Karunakaran and joined the BJP, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that if the BJP wins, it will remain in the government, but if the grand old party wins, it might align with the saffron party.

Pinarayi Vijayan said this at the inaugurated the Trivandrum district LDF election convention on Saturday.

Addressing the event, the Chief Minister said, “If the BJP wins, the party will remain. However, if Congress wins, tomorrow they might align with the BJP.”

He underscored the necessity of amending the Wildlife Act for a comprehensive resolution to wildlife attacks in Kerala.

“Amendments are essential for any intervention to take place. The Wildlife Act was enacted during the era of Indira Gandhi and subsequently strengthened by Jairam Ramesh. Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi did not address the issue of wildlife attacks in Kerala during his parliamentary interventions,” he said.

The Kerala Chief Minister criticised the 18 elected Congress MPs, stating that Kerala’s voice has significantly diminished in Parliament over the last five years due to their lack of collective action.

Earlier on Thursday, Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the Congress party over their leaders joining the Bharatiya Janata Party and asked on which side the 11 former Congress chief ministers are now. Pinarayi Vijayan was inaugurating the Kannur district LDF election convention.

“Some people are confused. What is the difference between Congress and the other group? Is there a difference? Where are Congress leaders standing now? On which side are 11 former Congress Chief Ministers now? They are with the BJP leadership. Ashok Chavan, Amarinder Singh, Digambar Kamat, SM Krishna, Vijay Bahuguna, Kiran Kumar Reddy, ND Tiwari, Jagadambika Pal, Pema Khandu, Narayan Rane, and Girdhar Gamang. That’s the 11 of them. How many more? Nobody can predict that. Can anybody of you say? This is Congress’ condition,” Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.

“BJP is standing with open arms. They are ready to accept anyone. They are giving enough money and positions as per their needs. Just like those creatures who run after the bone crumbs that you throw at them. That is the way of Congressmen,” the Kerala Chief Minister added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Thiruvananthapuram:

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday slammed senior BJP leader and Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar for his social media posts criticising him over a blast at a convention centre in Kalamassery, saying it was part of his communal stand.

Without naming Rajeev Chandrasekhar, he, during a press conference here, sought to know based on what information the union minister made such remarks against him and how a person holding a responsible position could come out with such statements while the investigation was going on.

During the brief press meet held at the Secretariat complex here, the Chief Minister also read out the English and Malayalam statements by Rajeev Chandrasekhar posted on his X handle.

“Dirty shameless appeasement politics by a discredited CM (and HM) @pinarayivijayan besieged by corruption charges.”

Sitting in Delhi and protesting against Israel, when in Kerala open calls by Terrorist Hamas for Jihad is causing attacks and bomb blasts on innocent Christians,” the minister posted on social media earlier in the day after the reports about the multiple blasts came out.

Pinarayi Vijayan alleged the statements were the reflection of an absolute communal outlook.

Indirectly attacking other BJP leaders who also responded on similar lines, he said those who were with the minister also came out with similar statements.

“A person who holds the post of minister should have shown at least some respect to the investigating agencies. Though the Kerala police is probing the incident now, we all saw reports that central agencies have also reached the site,” the Chief Minister said.

He further said they have taken a stand targeting a particular group, and it was part of their communal stand, but Kerala has never been on that agenda.

Noting that such statements should be viewed with seriousness, Pinarayi Vijayan also urged people not to fall for such campaigns.

He also warned stringent action against those who unleashed venomous campaigns through social media platforms with regard to the incident.

The Chief Minister also assured that whoever be the accused, they would be brought before the law to ensure maximum punishment.

Meanwhile, a 21-member special investigation team (SIT) of the Kerala Police, headed by ADGP Ajith Kumar, has been constituted to probe the case.

Two women died and 51 others were injured, some seriously, in multiple blasts at a Christian religious gathering in a convention centre near this port city on Sunday morning, sending shockwaves across Kerala.

The blasts took place at an international convention centre in Kalamassery, where hundreds of followers of the minority Christian group Jehovah’s Witnesses had assembled on the concluding day of a three-day-long prayer meeting.

A few hours after the incident, a man claiming to be a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses, surrendered before police in Thrissur district of the state, saying that he carried out the multiple blasts.

Police has registered an FIR against unknown persons under Sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC as well as provisions of the Explosives Act and the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Thiruvananthapuram:

The Kerala government has made it clear that the IT firm owned by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s daughter had duly paid the required Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) for her business transactions with a Kochi-based private minerals company.

The government’s clarification came amid a raging row over financial transactions between the IT firm owner by Mr Vijayan’s daughter, T Veena, and the minerals company.

The Department of State Goods and Services Tax on Saturday informed Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan, who had levelled corruption allegations against Mr Vijayan’s daughter, that the matter he had raised with regard to her IT solutions firm had been verified.

Mr Kuzhalnadan had raised corruption charges against the transaction between Veena’s firm and the Kochi-based minerals company.

He had sought to know whether Veena had remitted IGST for the over Rs 1 crore that she had received from the minerals company.

He had also recently sought a vigilance probe into the corruption allegations against Ms Veena’s IT firm.

In a letter, the state tax department informed the Congress legislator that during the verification, it was found that the company owned by the chief minister’s daughter had remitted the IGST for the amount that she received from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd.

However, the brief letter didn’t mention any other details, including the amount she had paid as tax.

Sources here said the GST Commissioner has already submitted a report in this regard to Finance Minister KN Balagopal.

A controversy erupted in Kerala recently over some financial transactions between the Kochi-based private minerals company and the chief minister’s daughter and her IT firm.

Evidence also cropped up that showed that the company had dealings with top leaders of both the ruling CPI(M) as well as the opposition Congress-led UDF.

The issue came to the fore after a Malayalam daily reported that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd paid a total of Rs 1.72 crore to the chief minister’s daughter between 2017 and 2020.

The news report, citing a ruling of an Interim Board for Settlement, said that the Kochi-based company previously had an agreement with Ms Veena’s IT firm for consultancy and software support services.

Despite the fact that no service was rendered by her firm, the amount was paid on a monthly basis “due to her relationship with a prominent person”, the report said, citing the deposition of the minerals company authorities before the Income Tax Department.

However, Mr Vijayan rubbished the charges and said the allegations were made to tarnish his image and defame him.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)