Ramesh Babu is HT’s bureau chief in Kerala, with about three decades of experience in journalism.
Articles by Ramesh Babu
Rahul attacks PM Modi over Parliament ruckus, Adani
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over allegations of fraud by the Adani Group, asking how references at the embattled tycoon made in a parliamentary speech could be seen as an insult to the prime minister.
Published on Feb 14, 2023 02:02 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Fuel cess imposed to help poor, will stay: Kerala CM
Talking to the media in the state capital, the CM said cess was introduced to meet the welfare pension of 60 lakh people in the “backdrop of the Union government’s attempts to stifle the state by cutting down its plan allocation and putting a cap on borrowing limit”.
Updated on Feb 10, 2023 05:08 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
No cut in proposed cess on petrol, diesel in Kerala
There were strong speculations that the minister will reduce it to ₹1 but he made it clear that the state “cannot afford such a decision at this juncture”.
Published on Feb 09, 2023 12:24 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Transman gives birth to baby in Kerala
Even though Zahad had undergone breast removal surgery and was waiting to remove her uterus to become a man, for which Zahad was already undergoing heavy hormone treatment,however, they both decided to put the treatment on hold and take chance at becoming parents.
Updated on Feb 09, 2023 12:14 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala startup’s smart solution to mounting parking woes
Started by Kerala-based young entrepreneurs in the US in 2015, way.com is a one-stop destination for all auto needs, which is now employing more than 250 professionals in its backup office in Thiruvananthapuram and another 100 in the US.
Published on Feb 06, 2023 12:07 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala serial killings: CFL tests find no trace of cyanide in four bodies
The police said it was not a setback because in the earlier tests in the state traces were found only in two and it was difficult to find such evidence in old cases
Updated on Feb 05, 2023 04:33 PM IST
Kerala budget tabled; fuel, liquor set to cost more
Finance minister K N Balagopal projected a revenue receipt of ₹1.35 lakh crore and expenditure of ₹1.76 lakh crore, as he presented the state budget for 2023-24 financial year in the legislative assembly
Published on Feb 03, 2023 11:59 PM IST
Kerala budget: Cess on fuel, vehicles, liquor
Finance minister K N Balagopal blamed the Union government for cash-strapped Kerala’s financial situation
Updated on Feb 03, 2023 04:40 PM IST
Kerala lawyer booked over bribery claims
Earlier, the police sought the opinion of the advocate general on whether a case could be registered against the lawyer, who is also the president of the Kerala high court advocates association and got a green signal. On Monday, the Bar Council of Kerala also served a show-cause notice to him
Published on Feb 02, 2023 12:25 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala HC recalls bail order amid row over lawyer’s bribery claims
The high court registrar has collected details of cases represented by Kidangoor and submitted them to the police.
Published on Jan 30, 2023 12:10 AM IST
Kerala forest department finds 15 pellets in captured elephant Dhoni’s body
At least 15 gun pellets were found inside the body of a wild elephant that was captured in Kerala’s Palakkad district on Sunday, state forest minister AK Saseendran said, adding that most of the pellets have been removed by the veterinarians of the forest department
Published on Jan 26, 2023 11:44 PM IST
Kerala: 15 pellets found inside captured wild elephant’s body
A forest officer, who did not want to be named, said most of the pellets were not so deep suggesting they were fired from country-made or air guns
Published on Jan 26, 2023 03:44 PM IST
Kerala HC stays conviction of Lakshadweep’s former MP
On Wednesday, the single bench of Justice Becchu Kurian Thomas extended the relief to all four convicted in the 2009 case.
Published on Jan 26, 2023 01:10 AM IST
Antony’s son quits all Cong posts after tweet on BBC documentary
Anil later clarified that he resigned from all posts in KPCC and AICC, not from the party, but he said he will concentrate more on his profession and remain only as an ordinary worker of the party.
Published on Jan 26, 2023 12:43 AM IST
Kerala: CPI(M) youth wing DYFI says will screen BBC documentary on PM Modi today
The Centre last week directed Twitter and YouTube to block links to the BBC documentary, which the ministry of external affairs dubbed as a “propaganda material that lacked objectivity and was guided by a colonial mindset”.
Updated on Jan 24, 2023 12:57 PM IST
Activists slam min’s wild animal culling remarks in Kerala
During an all-party meet in Wayanad (north Kerala) on Monday, Saseendran had said “Wild animals, including tiger that pose threat should be culled... lives of human beings matter”.
Published on Jan 19, 2023 12:20 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Kerala holds all-party meeting over frequent tiger incursions
The meeting, which was attended by all major parties, including the CPI(M), Congress and BJP, decided there should be an increase in the compensation paid to the victims of such attacks.
Updated on Jan 17, 2023 12:16 AM IST
6 big cats netted in a year in Kerala’s Wayanad; Govt to study hike in incursion
Kerala forest minister A K Saseendran said the state government has decided to create a master plan to check increasing attacks of wild animals
Updated on Jan 16, 2023 05:15 PM IST
How kingpin of investment fraud landed in Kerala police net
From setting up a political party to contesting Parliamentary elections to rubbing shoulders with high and mighty, Praveen did it all before facing the consequences of his actions.
Published on Jan 15, 2023 11:39 PM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
One tiger tranquillised, another stalks Wayanad
After the villagers spotted the tiger, the district administration called an all-party meeting on Sunday and called the forest department.
Published on Jan 15, 2023 11:39 PM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Another tiger on prowl in Kerala’s Wayanad
According to the locals, a cow was killed on Saturday in the paddy field close to the forest when it was let off for grazing and remains of another prey animal were found in a nearby area on Sunday
Updated on Jan 15, 2023 07:52 PM IST
Kerala orders probe into row over youth fest theme song
In the musical programme depicting patriotism, secularism, unity and fighting spirit of forces, Indian army jawans were shown apprehending a man, a suspected intruder in border areas donning a headgear Keffieh, traditional Arab attire worn by men
Published on Jan 11, 2023 12:33 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Was favourite punching bag of my political opponents, says Chandy
In the solar case I was charged with non-bailable charges at one stage and many senior leaders advised me to take anticipatory bail, but I refused, he said.
Published on Jan 08, 2023 12:04 AM IST
Kerala team on trail of rogue elephant
The rapid response team of Palakkad forest division that tracked the elephant since March 2021 and submitted an internal report to the chief wildlife warden in March 2022 had stated that “PT-7 is a tusker to watch out in future due to its aggressive behaviour”
Published on Jan 06, 2023 11:42 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
‘Not against religion’: CPI(M) begins outreach for LS polls
Political experts say the move is aimed at Parliament elections as in 2019 Lok Sabha polls the party could manage only a single seat out of 20 and Sabarimala unrest was cited as the prime reason for the rout
Published on Jan 03, 2023 12:23 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Govt-Guv tussle, PFI ban and port stir kept Kerala in focus
An ongoing series of ugly spat between the government and governor, shocking twin human sacrifice, crackdown on Kerala-born fundamentalist Popular Front of India (PFI) and dramatic rescue of a youth trapped in a crevice in Palakkad meant the state was continuously making the national headlines
Published on Dec 27, 2022 12:48 AM IST
Kerala to hold field survey amid row over buffer zone
The satellite survey carried out by the Kerala State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre in September to identify man-made structures within the proposed one-km buffer zone around 23 wildlife sanctuaries and parks whipped up a big protest in the state.
Updated on Dec 21, 2022 12:29 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
Celebrations after football World Cup turn violent in Kerala
In Kannur, three people were stabbed after altercation between two groups on Sunday night, while three police personnel were injured after a victory lap turned violent in Kochi, police said. In south Kerala’s Kollam, a teenage boy collapsed and died during victory celebrations in the early hours of Monday while police in Malappuram baton-charged a group of revellers, who they said refused to disperse despite repeated requests.
Published on Dec 20, 2022 12:07 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram
FIFA World Cup celebrations turn violent in parts of Kerala
Police said three people received stab wounds after an altercation between Argentina and Brazil fans in which one person was seriously injured and is admitted to the hospital
Updated on Dec 19, 2022 05:22 PM IST
Kerala nurse, two children killed in UK; husband held: Police
An Indian-origin woman and her two children were murdered inside their apartment in Northampton region of eastern England on Thursday, local police said, adding that the woman’s husband has been detained for questioning.
Published on Dec 17, 2022 12:17 AM IST
Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram