Kozhikode:  Senior CPI (M) leader and former minister T Sivadas Menon has passed away. He was 90 years old. He died at the MIMS Hospital in Kozhikode due to old age and congenital diseases. He also served as the CPI (M) State Committee, Secretariat, and District Secretary. In 1987, he was the Minister of Power in the EK Nayanar Cabinet and the Minister of Finance in 1996.  He was elected twice from the Malampuzha constituency. He also demonstrated administrative skills as the Deputy Chief Whip of the Opposition. 

Thiruvananthapuram: A decision has been taken to tighten the use of masks in Kerala in the wake of rising covid cases. The mask must be used on public roads and on gatherings. According to the order issued by the state police department, cases will be registered against the violators under various sections, including disaster management.

Thrissur: Co-director and actress Ambika Rao passed away here today. Ambika Rao’s role as the mother in Kumbalangi Nights was very popular. She has also worked as a co-director in several films. She is a native of Thrissur.

She had been undergoing treatment for a long time due to kidney-related disease. Then became covid positive.

Apart from Kumbalangi Nights, Ambika has also acted in Lal Jose’s Meesha Madhavan, Anuraga Karikin Vellam, and Virus. She also co-directed Thommanum Makkalum, Salt and Pepper, Rajamanikyam, and Vellinakshathram.

Wayanad: Police have launched a detailed probe into the attack on Rahul Gandhi MP’s Wayanad office by SFI activists. Kambalakkad CI N A Santosh is in charge of the investigation. On the fourth day after the incident, the police came to the office for the first time and prepared a detailed report.

Ratheesh Kumar, who is in charge of the office, and other employees gave detailed statements. ADGP Manoj Abraham will arrive in Wayanad this evening to inquire into the fall of the police in the attack. He will visit the office of the district police chief to assess the progress of the investigation.

So far, police have arrested 29 accused and remanded them in custody. CI N A Santosh said it could respond after a detailed investigation into whether there were more suspects.

Meanwhile, more UDF leaders have reached Wayanad. The DCC has also prepared the programs for Rahul Gandhi who will arrive in Wayanad on the 30th.

Kochi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is once again questioning Swapna Suresh, accused in a gold smuggling case. She is being questioned three times to clarify the secret statement given by Swapna in the gold smuggling case. Swapna Suresh said that it was not possible to say whether the ED had given evidence in the allegations against the celebrities and that it was part of the investigation. The Crime Branch Special Investigation Team was also asked to appear today. In the case registered on the complaint of KT Jaleel, bailable provisions were imposed.

Swapna also said that there was no reply to the allegations made by Saritha.The ED summoned her again for questioning after examining her statement two days earlier. The interrogation is progressing under the leadership of ED Kochi Zone Additional Director Radhakrishnan.

Kochi:  Producer and actor Vijay Babu has been arrested in connection with the rape of a young actress. The actor was arrested by the Ernakulam South police. Vijay Babu continues to be questioned in custody.

The court had allowed the probe team to question the actor from today till July 3 when he was granted anticipatory bail. The arrest was recorded when he arrived for questioning accordingly. Vijay Babu can return after evening interrogation as he has anticipatory bail. The interrogation of Vijay Babu will continue for 28,29,30 days and 1,2,3 days next month. The interrogation was allowed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Thrissur: Writer Chowalloor Krishnankutty passed away at the age of 86. He died at a private hospital in Thrissur. He has published eighteen books in the categories of Poetry, Short Stories, Novels, Translations, and Humorous Essays.

He was also the Vice-Chairman of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy, the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, and twice the Chairman of the Kerala Kalamandalam.He also served as the Assistant Editor of Malayala Manorama.