Kerala Politics & Governance

Kerala High Court orders fresh inquiry into complaint against retired officers

1 May 2026

The Kerala High Court set aside the Alappuzha District Police Complaints Authority’s dismissal of a custody-torture complaint involving retired police officers and ordered a fresh inquiry. It held that retirement does not prevent the authority from investigating alleged misconduct committed while the officers were in service.

The court directed the authority to recommend criminal cases if its inquiry finds the officers guilty, citing Section 110 of the Kerala Police Act.

Key Facts

• Kerala’s Police Complaints Authority investigates police misconduct and abuse.

IIM Kozhikode launches Uyare women’s entrepreneurship project

2 May 2026

IIM Kozhikode launched Uyare, a project to strengthen existing women-led enterprises through practical business training. Training was scheduled for April to June for about 700 women from 40 gram panchayats in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts.

Manappuram Foundation is supporting the project financially, alongside the district administration, Kudumbashree district missions and the Entrepreneurship Development Society.

Key Facts

• Kudumbashree Mission is Kerala’s poverty-eradication instrument under the Local Self-Government Department.

Kerala issues fresh suspension order against IAS officer N. Prasanth

2 May 2026

The Kerala government issued a fresh suspension order against IAS officer N. Prasanth following remarks at a book-launch event. He had criticised restrictions on government employees’ freedom of speech and alleged commission-based corruption in the state.

UDF wins Kerala Assembly election with 102 seats

4 May 2026

The United Democratic Front (UDF) won 102 seats in the Kerala Assembly election, while the Left Democratic Front (LDF) secured 35 and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) three. The result ended the LDF’s decade in government; Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan resigned and was to continue as caretaker until a new government took office. The Assembly also saw 71 first-time legislators, including IUML’s first woman MLA, Fathima Thahiliya.

Key Facts

• The Kerala Legislative Assembly’s central function is passing state laws and rules.

Affidavits show 221 Kerala candidates declared assets above ₹1 crore

5 May 2026

An assessment of election affidavits found that 221 of 863 Kerala Assembly candidates declared assets exceeding ₹1 crore. Among the legislators highlighted, Kuttanad MLA Reji Cherian declared assets of about ₹218.96 crore, while Nemom MLA Rajeev Chandrasekhar declared assets exceeding ₹111 crore.

Key Facts

• Candidates disclose assets and liabilities through Form 26; omissions can trigger action under election law.

KIIFB CEO K. M. Abraham resigns after election result

5 May 2026

K. M. Abraham resigned as chief executive officer of the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) after the Assembly election result. Additional CEO Mini Antony was given charge.

Key Facts

• KIIFB is Kerala’s statutory financial institution for mobilising infrastructure funding beyond state revenue.

Tendering expected for proposed Vizhinjam–Balaramapuram rail link

5 May 2026

Tendering for the proposed 10.7-km rail link between Vizhinjam International Seaport and Balaramapuram was expected to begin within a week. The plan includes a station at Balaramapuram to connect the port with the national rail network; land-acquisition steps were described as under way.

Key Facts

• The rail link is intended to connect port freight with India-wide container transport through the national railway network.

Kerala hotel association calls shutdown over commercial LPG prices

6 May 2026

The Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association called for hotels, cool bars, bakeries and canteens to close on 6 May in protest against rising commercial LPG prices. It also called for online food delivery to be suspended and sought subsidised commercial LPG and fuel supplies in line with demand.

Kerala High Court upholds statutory surrogacy age limits

7 May 2026

The Kerala High Court dismissed a petition challenging the statutory age limits for couples seeking surrogacy, holding that the limits were reasonable safeguards for the health, safety and welfare of the prospective mother and child. The law sets the age range at 23–50 years for women and 26–55 years for men.

Key Facts

• Surrogacy’s statutory age limits are intended to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of the prospective mother and child.

New subcontractors assigned work on Kozhikode NH 66 stretch

11 May 2026

Adani Enterprises replaced subcontractors on sections of the NH 66 Azhiyur–Vengalam stretch in Kozhikode district. Keller Ground Engineering was assigned piling work near Karimpanappalam, while Gulfar Engineering was ...