Ramesh Babu is HT’s bureau chief in Kerala, with about three decades of experience in journalism.
Articles by Ramesh Babu
Kerala to move Supreme Court to seek death penalty for businessman
The Kerala government has decided to approach the Supreme Court to seek death penalty for beedi tycoon Mohammad Nisham, who was awarded life-term for killing a security guard with his large sports utility vehicle in Thrissur district in 2015.
Updated on Dec 15, 2022 12:06 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala to skip Governor’s policy address in budget session
It is custom for the Governor to make an address at the start of each year’s assembly session. Since the seventh session was adjourned sine die, the Speaker can convene it again after giving 10-day notice to legislators.
Published on Dec 14, 2022 11:56 PM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
In SC appeal, Kerala to seek death for bizman who crushed his guard with SUV
The Kerala high court upheld the trial court verdict, sentencing Mohammad Nisham, 45, to life in prison. The state government will move the Supreme Court to seek death penalty for the state’s beedi tycoon
Updated on Dec 14, 2022 05:03 PM IST
Pregnant woman carried on cloth sling to hospital in Kerala; probe ordered
Locals said the only way to reach outside world was a hanging bamboo bridge across river Bhawani and their repeated pleas for a bridge remained unheard
Published on Dec 12, 2022 10:16 AM IST
Kerala HC holds special sitting over Sabarimala rush
The development comes after a few pilgrims and policemen were injured in Marakootam about 1km from the Sannidhanam (temple complex) on Saturday. The high court also directed the temple board and Pathnamthitta district collector to suggest ways to control the rush.
Updated on Dec 12, 2022 04:10 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Heavy rush in Sabarimala; Revenue goes up to ₹125 cr
The Kerala high court has directed the Sabarimala temple board and the Pathnamthitta district collector to suggest ways to control the rush
Published on Dec 11, 2022 07:20 PM IST
1-yr waiting period to file for divorce struck down
The order striking down what is known as the cooling-off period said the provision, contained in Section 10A of the Divorce Act (1869), robbed people of their right to liberty.
Published on Dec 09, 2022 11:54 PM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Vizhinjam port stir called off after talks with CM Pinarayi Vijayan
The Adani group announced its decision to resume construction activities of the seaport without any delay. It also decided to withdraw contempt and other petitions pending before the high court
Published on Dec 07, 2022 07:54 PM IST
2 held guilty in Kerala in Latvian’s rape-murder
Prosecution said later both, a drug peddler and a guide, strangled her to death using her shawl in an isolated place. They also tried to disguise it as a suicide and tied her body to a tree later. But the post-mortem report found that she was drugged heavily, raped repeatedly and strangulated to death
Published on Dec 03, 2022 12:22 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
2 found guilty of raping, decapitating Latvian tourist in Kerala
The convicts, P Umesh and Udaya Kumar, got friendly with the tourist and sexually assaulted her when she passed out after smoking cannabis
Published on Dec 02, 2022 02:14 PM IST
Vizhinjam port project work to continue come what may: Kerala CM
Kerala CM’s remarks came a day after protesters on Sunday vandalised Vizhinjam police station and forcibly released four people who were arrested last week
Published on Dec 01, 2022 11:39 PM IST
Kerala man held for killing his partner, daughter in 2011
The alleged murder took place in 2011 and a missing complaint was filed by the deceased’s family, police shut the case for want of evidence
Published on Nov 30, 2022 11:42 PM IST
Kerala man killed his live-in partner and their daughter in 2011; arrested 11 yrs later
The Kerala police said a special investigation team has solved the mystery of a 23-year-old woman and her daughter who went missing in 2011. It turned out that they were killed by the man who was in a relationship with the woman
Published on Nov 30, 2022 05:14 PM IST
Kerala HC dismisses govt plea questioning KTU acting V-C’s appointment by guv
After the Supreme Court quashed the appointment of V-C M S Rajashree on October 22 for flouting the University Grants Commission guidelines the governor had sought names from the state.
Published on Nov 30, 2022 12:38 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
‘Govt won’t allow anyone to sabotage Vizhinjam project’
Fisheries minister V Abdurahiman indicated the government’s position when he lashed out at Sunday’s violence in which at least 36 policemen and 30 fishermen were injured as protesters laid siege to the Vizhinjam police station for more than three hours.
Published on Nov 30, 2022 12:31 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Protests over Vizhinjam project: All-party meet held after clashes in Kerala but deadlock continues
A day after violent clashes left 36 police personnel and 30 protesters injured in Vizhinjam of south Kerala, the all-party meet called on Monday to address the issue failed to arrive at a consensus, officials privy to the matter said
Published on Nov 29, 2022 12:14 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Clerics’ diktat fails to douse football fever in north Kerala
Samstha Kerala claims that the football fever is resulting in thin attendance in religious schools and Friday prayers
Updated on Nov 27, 2022 05:58 PM IST
Measles outbreak exposes poor immunisation in Kerala’s Malappuram
While experts believe that measles is not a life-threatening disease, it can turn into pneumonia, bronchitis and serious chest infections in some children with weak immunity
Published on Nov 24, 2022 06:14 PM IST
Congress in Kerala divided over Shashi Tharoor’s Malabar tour
Kerala Opposition leader V D Satheesan said the Congress has enough space for everyone but it will not tolerate any move to revive factionalism in the state unit
Updated on Nov 22, 2022 04:01 PM IST
‘Festive spirit has reached its crescendo’: Kerala shrouded in football frenzy
Across Malabar, garment shops have colourful jerseys hanging on the front door, and barber shops now advertise hair styles mimicking football stars. At every tea stall the conversation is dominated by Kante’s injury, Timo Werner’s ankle injury, or the fitness of Romelu Lukaku
Published on Nov 21, 2022 12:45 AM IST
Woman among 4 held for gang rape in Kerala
Providing details, Kochi police commissioner (CP) C H Nagaraju said the purported incident took place when the survivor arrived at the hotel with a woman friend from Rajasthan.
Updated on Nov 20, 2022 02:00 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Priya Varghese unqualified as Kannur varsity professor: Kerala HC
The high court has directed the varsity to publish a fresh rank list based on the guidelines of the University Grants Commission.
Updated on Nov 18, 2022 05:55 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala plans ordinance to strip governor of chancellor role. Khan responds
Governor Arif Mohammad Khan said that since the ordinance to replace the governor as chancellor of universities was against him, he will send it to the President for a view
Updated on Nov 09, 2022 04:18 PM IST
CM aiding smuggling, says Kerala governor
The raging tussle between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala and governor Arif Mohammad Khan escalated further on Thursday, with latter raising the gold smuggling controversy to target chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing his office of “patronising illegal activities” in the state.
Updated on Nov 04, 2022 01:34 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala governor accuses CM’s office of patronising smuggling
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday lashed out at Khan for trying to impose RSS’s agenda in state universities
Published on Nov 03, 2022 04:46 PM IST
Kerala governor calls for state finance minister’s removal, Vijayan pushes back
The relationship between the Kerala government and governor Arif Mohammad Khan touched a new lowafter the latter wrote to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, stating that finance minister KN Balagopal has “lost his pleasure”.
Updated on Oct 27, 2022 01:05 AM IST
Ramesh Babu & Utkarsh Anand, Thiruvananthapuram/new Delhi
Governor writes to Vijayan for action against minister who has lost his pleasure
Vijayan hit back saying Balagopal enjoys his full confidence amid growing friction between the governor and Kerala’s Left Democratic Front government
Updated on Oct 26, 2022 04:41 PM IST
Kerala governor serves show-cause notices to 2 more VCs
Kerala governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Tuesday issued notices to VCs of two more universities, asking what legal right they have to hold the office, after the Supreme Court recently quashed the appointment of V-C of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University for being contrary to UGC norms.
Published on Oct 26, 2022 12:19 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
V-Cs of 9 Kerala universities can continue till governor takes final call: HC
The single bench of the Kerala High Court justice Devan Ramachandran refused to get into the merit of the case and reminded all the court was also bound by the verdict of the Supreme Court which had unseated Technical University V-C MS Rajashree.
Updated on Oct 24, 2022 06:53 PM IST
Ramesh Babu | Written by Aniruddha Dhar
LDF announces protests as tussle between Kerala govt, governor escalates
The ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala announced a series of protests against governor Arif Mohammad Khan on Sunday, accusing him of “trying to implement Sangh Parivar agenda” in state universities
Published on Oct 24, 2022 12:26 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram