Kerala Police

Kerala police clamps down on anti-socials with arrest of over 2,500 people

Launching a massive crackdown on anti-social elements, Kerala police on Sunday arrested more than 2,500 people across the state. Police, in a statement, said 2,507 persons were arrested across the state as part of its initiative to curb anti-social activities in Kerala. The arrests were made after raiding 3,501 places since February 4 and registered a total of 1,673 cases, the State Police Chief's Office said. Thiruvananthapuram recorded the maximum number of arrests with 333 but the most number of cases were registered in Kannur district -- 257. The action came after a rise in anti-social activities being reported in the state. Thrissur recorded 301 arrests followed by Kozhikode and Kannur with 272 and 271 cases, respectively. Following Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur registered 239 and 214 cases, respectively.

Probe into Vizhinjam violence not reached stage to link with extremists

The Kerala police on Wednesday said that investigation has not reached a stage to suggest involvement of any extremist groups in the recent incidents of violence at Vizhinjam here. Thiruvananthapuram Range DIG R Nishanthini, who has been appointed as a special officer in charge of security arrangement and law and order in the area, also said the police was going to take stringent and legal action against those accused in the 163 cases lodged till now in connection with the anti-seaport protests and violence. Speaking to reporters here, the senior officer also said the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was not part of her meeting with officers in connection with the protests and violence at Vizhinjam, and that she cannot say whether it has sought any details or information from the Kerala police. On being asked why no one has been arrested yet in connection with the attack on the Vizhinjam police station on the night of November 27, the officer said that the investigative process w

Kerala police bans rally to support Adani port, protesters refuse to budge

Members of the Hindu United Front have vowed to walk to the port in Vizhinjam, on the southern tip of India, to pledge their support for a project they say will create jobs in the region

Vizhinjam protests: FIR filed against 3,000 people; 36 cops injured

The protests are expected to cast shadow on the completion of the first phase of the project in December 2023

Kerala Police files FIR, names Archbishop as accused in Vizhinjamport clash

The Kerala Police have registered an FIR on the Vizhinjam clashes and the Archbishop of the Latin Catholic Diocese, Thomas J. Netto has been named as the first accused

'Protest is tool in the hands of civil society', says Supreme Court

Protest is a "tool in the hands of the civil society" just as "strike is a weapon in the hands of the workmen", the Supreme Court said on Wednesday. The top court made the remarks while hearing an appeal filed by Ravi Namboothiri, who had challenged the Kerala High Court's judgment that upheld a trial court verdict setting aside his election as councillor in the Gram Panchayat in November 2015. His election to the post was cancelled on the ground that he suppressed in his nomination form his involvement in a criminal case and that he had committed a corrupt practice. A bench of justices S Abdul Nazeer and V Ramasubramanian said the Kerala Police Act was the successor legislation of certain police enactments of the colonial era which aimed at scuttling the democratic aspirations of the indigenous population. "Just as strike is a weapon in the hands of the workmen and lockout is a weapon in the hands of the employer under labour welfare legislations, protest is a tool in the hands of

No police officer who commits wrongs should be protected: Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said no police officer who commits a wrong should be protected, and such a stand would ensure that everyone worked honestly and without fear. Speaking on the occasion of Kerala Police Formation Day, Vijayan said there were isolated incidents of police personnel or officers indulging in activities which were wrong or against the discipline of the force and such individuals should not be protected. "Anyone who cannot uphold discipline and regulations of the force can be a part of the police -- this is the stand that should be taken. Then only everyone can work honestly and without any fear," he said. His words assume significance as recently there have been several instances of police brutality and illegal actions which garnered media attention. From incidents of beating up people inside the police stations to stealing mangoes from a roadside shop, all were reported in the media in the last month from the state. While warning of "str

Kerala police's Crime Branch raids PC George's residence in Erattupetta

The Crime Branch wing of Kerala police on Thursday raided the residence of P C George in Erattupetta area of the district. The raid was carried out to find evidence in connection with the 2017 actress assault case, sources said. George has in the past expressed his support for actor Dileep in the case in which the latter is an accused. George was arrested twice this year for allegedly making hate speeches and later released on bail.

Bishop Franco Mulakkal acquitted in rape case; nuns to file appeal

As the prosecution failed to produce evidence against the accused, the court acquitted the Bishop

162 migrant workers held for violence and attacking Kerala Police

A total of 162 migrant workers have been arrested after they attacked a police team, which went to contain a clash that erupted among them during Christmas celebrations here, police said on Monday.

Case against actor Mammooty, others for Covid-19 protocol violation

Kerala police has registered a case against actors Mammootty, Ramesh Pisharody and 300 others for allegedly violating Covid protocol during the inauguration of a medical facility at a hospital

Kerala Police issue notice to Kochi hotel hosting BJP meeting

Kerala Police has issued a notice to the hotel in Kochi in which a core committee of the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is meeting on Sunday.

59,292 Kerala police officials to oversee April 6 assembly elections

State Police chief Loknath Behra on Saturday made the announcement

Kerala's LDF govt to withdraw controversial amendment to Police act

A special cabinet which met in the afternoon decided to recommend Governor Arif Mohammed Khan to issue an ordinance to repeal Section 118-A, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said

Kerala Police Act Amendment ordinance will be reconsidered: Yechury

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Monday said the Kerala Police Act Amendment ordinance will be "reconsidered". His statement comes after a political storm broke out on Sunday over the controversial amendment to the Police Act. The Kerala Cabinet, last month, had decided to give more teeth to the Police Act by recommending addition of Section 118-A. It stipulates either imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to Rs 10,000 or both to those who produce, publish or disseminate content through any means of communication with an intention to intimidate, insult or defame any person through social media. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government defended the move, saying that it is intended to reduce cyber crimes against women. "The ordinance will be reconsidered," Yechury told PTI. When asked if "reconsidered" could mean toning down the ordinance, he indicated that it means the ordinance will be scrapped. The LDF government is likely to let the ordinance la

Kerala gold smuggling case: Suspended IAS officer taken into ED custody

Suspended IAS officer M Sivasankar, facing probe in the Kerala gold smuggling case, was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate, soon after a court rejected his anticipatory bail petition

Sabarimala security plans completed; to open for 5-day pooja on Oct 16

Security arrangements have been completed at the Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple which will be opened for the monthly five-day pooja on October 16 evening,police said on Friday. The commandant of the Kerala Armed Police (KAP) Fifth Battalion K Radhakrishnan has been appointed as the Police Special Officer to oversee security, a release issued by the state police said. The Pathanamthitta district police chief and the KAP third Battalion commandant will assist the special officer. According to the release,at a time only 250 persons will be allowed to enter the hilltop shrine. All other routes to Sabarimala, except through Vadasserikkara and Erumeli, will be closed. The COVID-19 health protocol will have to be strictlyfollowed by the staff, officials and devotees,state police chief Loknath Behera said. The temple will be opened for devotees on October 16 evening and regular poojas will be held for five days starting from October 17 morning, which is the first day of the

Kerala gold smuggling case: Three sent to judicial custody till Aug 26

Three key accused in the high-profile Kerala gold smuggling case -- Sarith PS, Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair -- were sent to judicial custody till August 26 by a Kochi court on Monday.

Landslide in Kerala's Idukki: 18 dead, search resumes for 50 missing

NDRF, Kerala Police, Fire Force, locals and volunteers are carrying out the massive search exercise

Kerala gold smuggling case: Accused Swapna Suresh, Sandeep Nair arrested

Kerala DGP had constituted a special investigation team headed by Kochi City Deputy Commissioner of Police G Poonguzhali