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Kerala Road Accidents: State Govt. Cannot Shirk Responsibility for NH Construction Defects, Experts Assert

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Kerala Road Accidents: State Govt. Cannot Shirk Responsibility for NH Construction Defects, Experts Assert

Kochi, Dec 7, 2025 — The Kerala State Government is facing intense legal and public pressure over its attempts to evade responsibility for a rising number of fatal accidents attributed to construction defects on National Highways (NH) across the state. Legal experts and critics are asserting that the government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Public Works Minister Mohammed Riyas, has a clear constitutional and statutory obligation to ensure road safety, regardless of the NHAI’s (National Highways Authority of India) role in construction.

​The controversy deepened after a series of construction-related accidents prompted the State Government to quietly remove numerous flex boards and hoardings that had prominently featured the CM and PWD Minister, claiming credit for the highway development work. Following the tragic events, both leaders sought to distance the state by claiming that responsibility for NH safety rested solely with the NHAI.

​Constitutional Duty to Protect Life

​However, legal analysis reveals that the state’s position is untenable. Jurists point to Article 21 (Right to Life) of the Indian Constitution, which the Supreme Court has interpreted to include the right to safe and motorable roads and footpaths.

​While the maintenance of National Highways falls under the Union List, matters of ‘Public Order,’ ‘Police,’ and ‘Road Safety Enforcement’ are firmly within the state’s domain. This jurisdictional split dictates that the State Government cannot simply relinquish its duty to protect the lives of its citizens on any public thoroughfare.

​Statutory Powers for Immediate Action

​The government is also armed with powerful state and central statutes that mandate intervention:

  • ​Criminal Laws: The state police are empowered under laws like the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Sections 106, 125, 285) to register FIRs against negligent contractors, engineers, and responsible officials for causing death or endangering life due to faulty construction.
  • ​Public Nuisance & Road Safety Acts: The CrPC, 1973 (S.133) allows District Magistrates to order NHAI or contractors to remove dangerous public nuisances like unlit diversions, unfenced potholes, or unstable earthworks. Furthermore, the Kerala Road Safety Authority Act, 2007 grants the state-level authority and District Road Safety Councils the power to demand independent safety audits and impose deadlines on NHAI for corrective measures.
  • ​State Police Act, 2011: This act assigns the police a general duty to prevent accidents, ensure traffic regulation, and enforce signage and lighting requirements on all roads, including NHs, when safety is compromised.
  • The State Government must immediately acknowledge its legal and constitutional liabilities regarding highway safety and use its extensive powers to intervene and hold negligent construction parties accountable to prevent further loss of life on Kerala’s roads.

Ancelotti Clarifies Neymar’s World Cup Chances: “If He Deserves to Go, He Will Play”

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Ancelotti Clarifies Neymar’s World Cup Chances: “If He Deserves to Go, He Will Play”

The debate over Neymar’s potential inclusion in the upcoming World Cup squad reached a fever pitch today, prompting coach Carlo Ancelotti to step forward and address the speculation directly.

​Speaking to reporters, Ancelotti acknowledged the intense media interest surrounding the superstar forward. “I understand you guys are very interested in Neymar. I want to clarify,” he stated, cutting through the prevailing rumors.

​With the World Cup scheduled for June and the current date being December, Ancelotti made it clear that no immediate decisions have been finalized. His criteria for selection remain rooted in performance and the player’s current form closer to the tournament.

​”We are in December, World Cup is in June. When I announce the squad in May, if Neymar deserves to go, if he’s well, if he’s better or same as another, he will play the World Cup, period.”

​The coach’s statement serves as a clear challenge to the player, implying that his place is not guaranteed despite his pedigree. Neymar must demonstrate fitness and competitive edge to secure his spot, vying against other in-form players right up until the final squad is named. Ancelotti’s focus on merit over reputation sets a firm tone for the national team’s preparations.

IndiGo Crisis Sends Domestic Airfares Soaring: ₹70,000 for Bengaluru, Cheaper Flights to London

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IndiGo Crisis Sends Domestic Airfares Soaring: ₹70,000 for Bengaluru, Cheaper Flights to London

NEW DELHI – India’s aviation sector is grappling with a severe crisis as IndiGo’s massive operational failure, stemming from a miscalculation of pilot requirements, has triggered hundreds of flight cancellations and an unprecedented explosion in domestic airfares. The surge has created an ironic situation where one-way tickets to major Indian cities are now several times more expensive than flights to international destinations like London and Thailand.

​The chaos reached a peak on a recent Friday (December 5, 2025), following the airline’s acknowledgement that it had severely miscalculated the number of pilots needed to comply with new Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) crew duty regulations. This shortfall led to a domino effect of delays and cancellations nationwide, with the airline even cancelling all departures from Delhi till midnight on the worst affected day.

​The Great Fare Disparity

​The most startling effect of the crisis has been on pricing. As capacity vanished, remaining tickets on domestic routes became prohibitively expensive.

  • ​A fastest connecting flight on the Delhi–Bengaluru route was briefly listed on a travel portal for an eye-watering ₹70,000 for a one-way fare, with prices settling closer to ₹32,000—still 3 to 4 times the normal range of ₹10,000–₹15,000.
  • ​In stark contrast, Delhi–London fares on international carriers started at just over ₹25,000.
  • ​Other domestic routes also saw dramatic inflation: Delhi–Goa surpassed ₹56,000, and Delhi–Pune tickets ranged between ₹30,000 and ₹40,000.

​This situation has led travelers to note the bizarre reality that international getaways to cities like Thailand (under ₹10,000), Vietnam, and Singapore are financially more accessible than critical domestic travel.

​Passenger Distress and Political Heat

​Flyers across the country reported scenes of chaos, with angry passengers crowded at departure gates following delays stretching up to 8 hours. Many travellers expressed outrage, noting that despite the widespread cancellations, the airline’s website continued to book future flights at significantly inflated margins, suggesting the airline was capitalizing on the crisis.

​The crisis quickly drew political attention. Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, flagged the fiasco as the cost of the government’s “monopoly model,” calling for “fair competition in every sector.” Other political leaders criticized the Civil Aviation Ministry’s handling of the situation, citing insufficient accountability for rising airfares and widespread passenger grievances.

​While the government has since put the new crew duty rule in abeyance, expecting IndiGo’s operations to normalize, stranded passengers continue to demand transparency and fairer pricing from the airline.

Mammootty’s Stellar Comeback in ‘Kalamkaval’: A Craft-Driven Thriller Masterpiece

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Mammootty’s Stellar Comeback in ‘Kalamkaval’: A Craft-Driven Thriller Masterpiece

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Megastar Mammootty has once again proven his unparalleled mettle, returning to the screen after seven months with ‘Kalamkaval,’ a meticulously crafted thriller directed by Jithin K. Jose. The film, which also features a powerful performance from Vinayakan, is being hailed as one of the year’s best, successfully elevating a potentially predictable storyline through sheer narrative precision and technical brilliance.

​The core strength of ‘Kalamkaval’ lies in the ‘Actor Mammootty,’ who anchors the film with an intensely nuanced portrayal of the antagonist. Steering clear of exaggerated dramatics, Mammootty’s performance is driven by the subtlety of silence, conveying the character’s profound intensity through minimal facial expressions, precise eye movements, and controlled pauses in dialogue. Critics note that his experience and confident restraint distinguish this role, making the actor’s presence the unwavering pillar of the film.

​Matching Mammootty’s intensity is Vinayakan, who plays the character Jayakrishnan. His mature and contrasting performance successfully creates a compelling foil to the lead, moving beyond typical police hero stereotypes to offer a grounded, realistic depiction. Supporting actors like Jibin Gopinath, Rajisha Vijayan, Shruti, and Divya further fortify the film’s commitment to a realistic narrative tone.

​Director Jithin K. Jose, who also penned the story, weaves the thriller with strong technical backing. Mujeeb Majeed’s score, utilizing Tamil folk tones and a minimalist background track, significantly amps up the tension in crucial scenes. The cinematography by Faisal Ali is praised for its fresh approach, particularly the innovative angles and shot selections used in interior sequences. Editor Praveen Prabhakar ensures the film maintains a pace perfectly suited to its suspenseful nature.

​In conclusion, ‘Kalamkaval’ surpasses expectations, delivering a solid, engaging cinematic experience. With a commanding performance from Mammootty, realistic acting from Vinayakan, and superb technical execution, the film cements its place as a must-watch craft-driven thriller of the year.

₹10 Crore ‘Cultural Congress’ Sparks Mega Extravagance Row for Pinarayi Govt

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₹10 Crore ‘Cultural Congress’ Sparks Mega Extravagance Row for Pinarayi Govt

Kochi: The Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government in Kerala is facing sharp criticism and allegations of ‘mega extravagance’ (mega dhoorthu) over its upcoming ‘Cultural Congress,’ scheduled to take place in Ernakulam from December 20 to 22.

​The event, conceptualized by CPI(M) All India Secretary M.A. Baby, aims to bring together prominent cultural figures from across the country and abroad, with the intent of transforming the congress into a ‘mega event.’ Mr. Baby is noted for previously proposing the “Manaveeyam” cultural programme during the tenure of former Chief Minister E.K. Nayanar.

​However, the timing and estimated cost of the event have ignited a major political controversy. With the Legislative Assembly elections looming and the current government’s term set to expire in barely four months, critics are branding the event as a blatant misuse of public funds.

​The total expected expenditure for the three-day Cultural Congress is estimated to be around ₹10 Crores. Initial steps have already been taken, with the government sanctioning an initial sum of ₹10 Lakhs to the Lalithakala Akademi on December 2 for preliminary organizational activities.

​Opponents argue that initiating such a massive and costly expenditure just before a critical election cycle constitutes ‘mega extravagance’ and is a move primarily intended to boost the ruling party’s image rather than genuinely furthering cultural exchange, placing the government firmly on the defensive.

Kerala Pay Hike Promise Sparks Row: Balagopal Links Salary Revision to Local Poll Outcome

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Kerala Pay Hike Promise Sparks Row: Balagopal Links Salary Revision to Local Poll Outcome

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal has announced that the state government will declare the highly anticipated salary and pension revision immediately following the conclusion of the upcoming local body elections.

​The announcement, made during a recent media interview, has immediately drawn sharp criticism from opposition service organizations, who have dismissed the promise as mere “election rhetoric” intended solely to placate disgruntled government employees and pensioners just days before the polling date.

​The 12th Pay Revision, which was originally due on July 1, 2024, remains unimplemented. Critics point out that despite the delay of over 16 months, the government has not even appointed a Pay Commission to initiate the process, leading to widespread protests across the state service sector.

​Deep Crisis Over Arrears

​The controversy comes amid a deepening fiscal crisis concerning employee dues. Kerala currently holds the dubious distinction of being the only state in the country that has not cleared declared Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) arrears, which currently stand at 14%.

​Furthermore, service organizations estimate the total outstanding benefits due to employees and pensioners to be approximately one lakh crore rupees. The government’s promise, made with the local body polls only four days away, is viewed as a desperate attempt to neutralize the growing opposition among a key voter base.

​’Ploy’ Ahead of Term End

​Opposition groups allege the promise is hollow, noting that the current government has only around four months remaining in its term. They argue that the complexity and financial commitment of implementing a full pay revision make it virtually impossible for the administration to deliver on the promise before its tenure expires.

​”This is nothing but a ploy,” stated a spokesperson for a prominent opposition service association. “For sixteen months, there was complete silence, yet days before an election, the Finance Minister makes an unbacked commitment. Employees and pensioners will not be fooled by this last-minute electoral gimmick.” The situation is set to heighten the political temperature as the state heads into a crucial electoral battle.

One-Year Political Suicide: Congress Expels Rising Star Rahul Mamkootathil After Court Rejects Bail in Sexual Assault Case

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One-Year Political Suicide: Congress Expels Rising Star Rahul Mamkootathil After Court Rejects Bail in Sexual Assault Case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a shocking turn of events marking the swift end of a promising political career, youth leader Rahul Mamkootathil has been permanently expelled from the Congress party exactly one year after being sworn in as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). The decision, widely described by political observers as a “political harakiri” (suicide) caused by personal hubris, comes after a court rejected his anticipatory bail application in a serious sexual harassment case.

​Mamkootathil, who became a political sensation by winning the Palakkad by-election with a massive margin of over 18,000 votes in late 2024, took the MLA oath on December 4, 2024. However, his tenure ended abruptly on December 4, 2025, when the party leadership confirmed his permanent removal from primary membership.

​Arrogance Preceded the Fall

​The allegations of sexual misconduct and other inappropriate behavior began to surface publicly around August 2025. Party leaders noted a significant shift in Mamkootathil’s demeanor following his electoral success, accusing him of operating with an arrogance unbecoming of a public servant.

​Crucially, when confronted with the mounting, serious allegations, Mamkootathil reportedly displayed stark defiance, dismissing the controversy with the infamous reply, “Who cares.” This sheer disregard for accountability further galvanized internal sentiment against him, paving the way for disciplinary action.

​The initial action was taken following the intervention of Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, which led to Mamkootathil’s suspension from the Parliamentary Party and his primary membership.

​The final hammer fell after the court dismissed the young MLA’s plea for anticipatory bail in the sexual harassment case. With legal options narrowing and the party facing intense public and internal scrutiny, the Congress leadership took the decisive step to sever all ties.

​Mamkootathil’s dramatic downfall serves as a stern warning to public figures about the necessity of maintaining personal integrity, highlighting how quickly a rising star can plummet due to personal actions and unchecked ego.

Bail Rejected in Rape Case: MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil Expelled by Party, Arrest Imminent

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Bail Rejected in Rape Case: MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil Expelled by Party, Arrest Imminent

Thiruvananthapuram: In a stunning blow to the political establishment, the Thiruvananthapuram District Principal Sessions Court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail application of MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil in a high-profile rape case. The ruling immediately cleared all legal hurdles for the police to arrest the legislator, who now faces imminent detention.

​Following the court’s decisive action, the political party took swift and punitive measures, announcing that Mamkoottathil had been expelled from its primary membership. This expulsion comes shortly after the party had initially suspended him, signaling a zero-tolerance stance following the severe judicial setback.

​Court Arguments and Dismissal

​Mamkoottathil’s counsel argued in court that the relationship between the MLA and the complainant was consensual, and that the alleged incident stemmed from a mutually agreeable association. However, the court did not accept this defense, dismissing the plea and paving the way for further legal proceedings.

​The court’s order has sparked a major crisis within the political ranks. State party President Sunny Joseph addressed the media, stating clearly that it would be best for the party and the public interest if the accused MLA resigned from his legislative assembly position immediately.

​The focus now shifts to the police and the legislature, as authorities prepare for the MLA’s arrest and pressure mounts on the politician to relinquish his post. Mamkoottathil’s fate remains uncertain as his legal recourse narrows and his political career is effectively over.

Neymar Hat-Trick Sinks Juventude in Santos FC Masterclass

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Neymar Hat-Trick Sinks Juventude in Santos FC Masterclass

Caxias do Sul, Brazil – Star forward Neymar Jr delivered an electrifying performance today, securing a spectacular hat-trick to power Santos FC to a convincing 3-0 away victory over Juventude. The result sees Santos continue their positive momentum, largely thanks to their talisman’s continued brilliance.

​The match, held at Juventude’s stadium, was a tight affair until the second half, when Neymar took complete control. Neymar found the back of the net in the 56th, 65th, and 73rd minutes, showcasing a devastating combination of clinical finishing and intricate skill.

​Spending 83 minutes on the pitch before being substituted, Neymar was the undisputed architect of the victory, effortlessly turning the tide of the game. His masterful display earned him the well-deserved Man of the Match crown.

​”He continues to help Santos and silence the critics!” commented a delighted Santos official after the game. Neymar’s masterclass provided a resounding answer to any recent doubts about his form and commitment, solidifying his status as one of the league’s most influential players.

Sabarimala Gold Scam: High Court to Receive Crucial Investigation Report Today; Ex-Minister Kadakampally Under Scanner

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Sabarimala Gold Scam: High Court to Receive Crucial Investigation Report Today; Ex-Minister Kadakampally Under Scanner

KOCHI: Today marks a crucial day for the CPM in Kerala as the special investigation team is set to submit its report on the Sabarimala gold sheet handover controversy to the High Court. The ruling party is already facing a significant crisis following the remand of CPM leader and former Devaswom Board President, A. Padmakumar, in connection with the case.

​The controversy revolves around the decision to hand over a gold sheet, traditionally used for temple ornamentation, to one Unnikrishnan Potty. During questioning, Padmakumar reportedly stated that the decision to hand over the gold sheet was taken based on an official application received by the government.

​This statement has now put the then Devaswom Minister, Kadakampally Surendran, squarely under the cloud of suspicion. The investigation report’s findings are anxiously awaited.

​If the report contains any adverse mention of Kadakampally Surendran, or if the High Court issues any strong remarks while considering the report, it could plunge the CPM into a major political predicament. Consequently, today’s High Court proceedings are being closely watched across the state.

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