Thiruvananthapuram: The main accused in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation tax fraud has been arrested. Former Superintendent of Nemom Zone Shanthi was arrested. Shanti had gone into hiding after being added to the list of accused.

Her anticipatory bail was rejected by the court. Shanti was arrested by a team led by the Assistant Commissioner of Forts. Earlier, the corporation had suspended seven officials, including Superintendent S Shanthi of Nemom zone.

So far, a scam of Rs 33 lakh has been detected. Of this, a scam of Rs. 27 lakh was also found in the Nemom zone. The money received from the public was stolen without being deposited in the corporation account.

Thiruvananthapuram: Former DGP Loknath Behra, who went to the house of Monson Mavungal, who was arrested in an antiquities fraud case, gave his statement. ADGP Manoj Abraham and IG Lakshmana have also made statements. Crime Branch ADGP Sreejith has given statements. Earlier it was clear that they had gone to Monson’s house. The statement was based on this. Indications are that Behra had a close relationship with Monson. It was also alleged that IG Lakshmana tried to sabotage the case against Monson.

Behra was reportedly asked to explain why he had placed a beatbox at Monson’s house and visited the museum. The investigation report will be submitted to the Crime Branch in the High Court on Tuesday in connection with the Monson case. The High Court had sought an answer as to the circumstances under which Monson Mavungal was granted protection. The police beatbox was set up in front of the house after Behra Monson visited the museum in Kaloor. This led to a great deal of controversy. The records show that the beatbox was set up at Monson’s rented house in Kaloor and his family home in Cherthala on the instructions of the police headquarters.

Thiruvananthapuram: Colleges in the state opened today. Classes in colleges resume from today for all students in undergraduate and graduate classes. Final year undergraduate and postgraduate final year classes had already begun. The campuses are resuming by ensuring the Covid standards. Classes scheduled to start on the 18th have been postponed due to heavy rains.

Kochi: Theaters in the state reopened today after a gap of months. The government was permitted to reopen the theater months after the lockdown was lifted. The exhibition will be held on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Only 50 percent of people are allowed. Admission is for those who have taken two doses of the vaccine. But the theater owners said they had asked the government for more concessions. The Diwali films will be screened next week.

Thiruvananthapuram: Petrol price has crossed Rs 110 in the state. At Thiruvananthapuram Parashala, a liter of petrol became Rs. 110.11. On Sunday, petrol prices were hiked by 35 paise and diesel by 37 paise. In Thiruvananthapuram, petrol was priced at Rs. 109.84 and diesel at Rs. 103.51. In Kochi, petrol price was hiked by Rs. 107.77, diesel by Rs. 101.57, Kozhikode by Rs. 108.07, and diesel by Rs. 101.87. On June 24, petrol prices crossed Rs. 100 in the state. Crude oil prices fell to $ 68.62 a barrel in July and $ 65.18 a barrel in August from $ 76.18 a barrel in international trade. Since September 24, fuel prices have continued to rise in the wake of rising oil prices.

Thiruvananthapuram: Revenue Minister K Rajan said in the assembly that 55 people have died so far due to the monsoon in the state. The government explained that the Central Meteorological Department had not issued a red alert anywhere on October 16. In addition, 117 mm of rain fell in three hours on October 16. On the 16th, there was no weather alert in the Kottayam district. Rescue operations were launched following the incident. The minister said there was a technical delay in reaching the isolated areas.

Rescue operations intensified as the weather improved. All-weather warnings and forecasts are vested in the Union Ministry of Geology. The state government is not doing this. Other agencies are not known to have forecast heavy rain warnings. The Union Army is deployed in the Orange and Red Alert districts. The minister said the meteorological office had not issued a red alert anywhere in Kerala till 10 am on October 16. Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Authority is fully equipped.

Ten hurricane shelters have been set up in the state. These are located on the coast. Construction is in progress at seven locations. The state is heeding the warning of the Central Meteorological Department. The minister reiterated that there was a delay in reaching the disaster-hit areas due to landslides and floods.