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HC extends interim protection for MLA Rahul Mankoottil in rape case

Kochi, Dec 15 (UNI) The Kerala High Court on Monday extended interim protection from arrest to Palakkad MLA Rahul Mankoottil in connection with the first rape case registered against him, granting him temporary relief while postponing further hearings.
The court deferred consideration of Mankoottil’s anticipatory bail plea to Thursday, citing scheduling constraints ahead of the Christmas vacation. The case is now expected to be taken up after regular court sittings resume in the first week of January.
Earlier, the Thiruvananthapuram Sessions Court had rejected Mankoottil’s plea for anticipatory bail, following which he approached the High Court seeking protection. While issuing interim relief, the High Court made it clear that detailed arguments would be heard at a later stage.
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Three day Jallikattu bull taming fest begins in TN as part of Pongal fest

15 Jan 2026 | 6:56 AM

Chennai, Jan 15 (UNI) The traditional Jallikattu event, taming of bulls,
asociated with the annual Pongal festivites in southern Tamil Nadu
began at Avuniapuram in Madurai distridt on Thursday.

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Religious fervour, gaiety mark Pongal celebrations in TN

15 Jan 2026 | 6:55 AM

Chennai, Jan 15 (UNI) Pongal, the traditional harvest
festival, was celebrated in Tamil Nadu with religious
fervour and gaiety.
The festival falls on the first day of the auspicious
Tamil month 'Thai' every year and people ushered in
the festivities with a lot of enthusiasm by worshipping
the Sun God.

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Teacher protesting for wage regularisation ends life, AIADMK, BJP blames DMK regime

15 Jan 2026 | 6:53 AM

Chennai, Jan 15 (UNI) In a shocking incident, a part time teacher, who attempted suicide
by consuming poision, during the two-week long protests demanding wage regularisation,
died last night.

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Kerala: Congress leader Sudhakaran meets former CPI(M) leader Padmanabhan in Kannur

15 Jan 2026 | 12:39 AM

Kannur, Jan 14 (UNI) In the backdrop of Aysha Potti, former CPI(M) Kottarkara MLA joining the Congress Party on last day at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president and MP, K Sudhakaran, today met CPI(M) leader and former Taliparamba MLA, C.K.P. Padmanabhan, at the latter's residence in Kunhimangalam in Kannur.

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Village officer's 'Stop memo' directing halt to bridge construction at ‘Kumbh Mela’ site triggers row in Kerala

15 Jan 2026 | 12:19 AM

Kozhikode, Jan 14 (UNI) Ahead of the ‘ Kumbh Mela’ festival in Kerala’s Malappuram, on the banks of the Bharathapuzha river, the Thirunavaya village officer has issued a stop memo for the construction works on the Bharathapuzha river.
The village officer’s stop memo has triggered a controversy ahead of the proposed ‘Kumbh Mela’ on the banks of the Bharathapuzha, to be started next week.
Despite the stop memo, the organisers asserted that the event will go ahead as scheduled.

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