Vishnu Varma is Assistant Editor and reports from Kerala for the Hindustan Times. He has 10 years of experience writing for print and digital platforms and has worked at The New York Times, NDTV and The Indian Express in the past. He specialises in longform reportage at the intersections of politics, crime, social commentary and environment.
Articles by Vishnu Varma
Kerala reports third death due to rabies despite vaccination
This is the third fatality of a child due to rabies in the state despite vaccination in the span of a month.
Published on May 06, 2025 04:42 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
KV Rabiya: Kerala’s literacy champion dedicated her life beating all adversaries
Rabiya was diagnosed with polio at the age of 14 and had her further studies confined to her home and bound to a wheelchair.
Published on May 05, 2025 07:34 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
At port unveiling, PM makes ‘sleepless nights’ jibe at Oppn
The remark, apparently made half in jest, along with an observation in a similar vein about a communist leader calling a conglomerate a partner.
Published on May 03, 2025 07:06 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Vizhinjam seaport result of current Left govt’s willpower: Kerala CM
The port, the first semi-automated facility in the country, was dedicated to the nation five months after it was formally operationalised with the anchoring of major vessels
Published on May 03, 2025 07:04 AM IST
‘Sleepless nights ’: Modi jabs Cong over Tharoor presence at Kerala port event
Shashi Tharoor, who was present on the occasion on Friday as the local MP, said on X that he had been involved with the project since its inception
Updated on May 02, 2025 06:07 PM IST
PM Modi inaugurates Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala
PM modi started the visit with reviewing the operations, specially the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) mother ship docked at the port
Published on May 02, 2025 12:46 PM IST
As Kerala grapples with drugs crisis, de-addiction centres see massive rush
According to the Union Home ministry, Kerala topped the country in the past three years, beating states like Punjab and Maharashtra
Published on Apr 29, 2025 07:54 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Kerala rapper Vedan arrested for alleged possession of marijuana
Vedan burst onto the scene in Kerala during the pandemic in 2020 when his first music video on YouTube titled ‘Voice of the Voiceless’ garnered praise.
Published on Apr 28, 2025 04:54 PM IST
Excise department arrest 3, including 2 Kerala film directors with drugs
Since the seizure amount was below commercial quantity, the three were released on station bail after being booked under sections 20 (B)(II)A and 29 of the NDPS Act 1985
Published on Apr 28, 2025 07:12 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Two Malayalam film directors arrested for alleged possession of hybrid ganja
The directors — Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza -- along with a third individual named Shalih Mohamad were held following a raid conducted at an apartment in Kochi in the wee hours of Sunday
Published on Apr 27, 2025 07:05 PM IST
Main accused held in Kottayam murder case
Police said that the murders could be seen as an act of revenge by Urang following a financial fraud case filed against him last year based on a complaint filed by Vijayakumar
Published on Apr 24, 2025 09:24 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Assam man in Kerala kills ex-employer, wife in revenge for theft complaint: Cops
A 71-year-old Kerala businessman and his wife were found murdered in separate rooms of their palatial house in Kottayam district on Tuesday
Published on Apr 23, 2025 06:50 PM IST
Pahalgam terror attack: 65-yr-old Kochi man shot dead in front of daughter
According to his family members, Ramachandran was shot dead by terrorists in front of his daughter and grandchildren
Published on Apr 23, 2025 12:24 PM IST
Industrialist, wife found murdered in Kerala: Cops
The bodies of TK Vijayakumar (71) and his wife Meera (67) were found soaked in blood in separate rooms of the palatial house
Published on Apr 23, 2025 09:54 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Malvika Nair appeared for Mains exam 17 days after giving birth, gets 45th rank
Malavika G Nair, who has secured the 45th rank in UPSC’s Civil Services Examination 2024, is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer
Updated on Apr 22, 2025 07:30 PM IST
4 Indian cardinals eligible to vote for new pope
Four Indian cardinals—Ferrao, Cleemis, Koovakkad, and Poola—are eligible to vote in the conclave to elect the next pope.
Updated on Apr 22, 2025 10:17 AM IST
Vishnu VarmaGerard de Souza
Day after actor’s arrest, Kerala minister says no concession for celebrities in war against drugs
Kerala minister MB Rajesh vows to combat the drug trade with strict measures, emphasizing no leniency for industries or celebrities after actor Shine Tom Chacko's arrest.
Published on Apr 21, 2025 08:14 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Kerala HC orders status quo for 2 months on SFIO case against CMRL, Kerala CM’s daughter
Kerala HC maintains status quo for two months over SFIO's fraud complaint against Veena T and CMRL, amid allegations of political motives.
Published on Apr 17, 2025 09:16 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
LDF, Congress criticise Kerala guv’s remarks on SC judgment
In the HT interview, published on Saturday, Arlekar said the top court should have allowed Parliament to decide on the issue or referred it to a larger constitutional bench
Published on Apr 13, 2025 07:08 AM IST
Interview: SC timeline to decide on bills overreach, says Kerala governor
‘What I felt is that the bench which heard the matter should have referred the matter to a Constitution bench’
Updated on Apr 12, 2025 05:17 AM IST
Kerala court finds TN man guilty in 2022 murder case
The accused Rajendran, a resident of Kanyakumari district, was pronounced guilty by the Thiruvananthapuram additional district and sessions court
Published on Apr 11, 2025 09:02 AM IST
Kerala court grants bail to five medical students accused in ragging case
The Kottayam principal district and sessions court allowed the petitions filed by the five accused in the case for bail citing their young age and their clean record before the ragging case
Published on Apr 11, 2025 09:00 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Kerala HC rejects bail plea of key accused Ananda Kumar in CSR fund case
The bench was hearing the CSR fund case wherein the accused allegedly cheated dozens of people by promising them two-wheelers, sewing machines at half the price
Published on Apr 10, 2025 09:00 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Pinarayi Vijayan rejects opposition’s call for his resignation over SFIO charges against his daughter
On April 3, the SFIO named Veena, MD of the now-defunct IT firm Exalogic Solutions, as an accused in its prosecution complaint in the alleged illegal payment case.
Published on Apr 10, 2025 08:56 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Kerala preacher arrested after his wife dies during childbirth
The accused, police said, has also been booked for destruction of evidence since he transported the woman’s remains without admitted her to a hospital or informing the police about the death
Published on Apr 09, 2025 08:46 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Verdict may impact five other Oppn-ruled states
The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi’s decision to reserve 10 re-enacted state bills for presidential assent will have an impact on similar disputes spanning across five other states
Published on Apr 09, 2025 07:50 AM IST
Kerala man booked for culpable homicide after wife dies during childbirth at home
Kerala had the lowest infant and maternal mortality figures in the country, but certain recent trends were “deeply concerning”, health minister Veena George said.
Published on Apr 08, 2025 07:52 PM IST
Munambam land row: HC stays order quashing inquiry panel
Kerala HC stayed a single judge's ruling that quashed an inquiry commission into a Waqf land dispute in Munambam, pending appeal hearings from June 16.
Published on Apr 08, 2025 08:30 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
HC junks actor Dileep’s petition for CBI probe in 2017 kidnapping and sexual assault case
The bench found no merit in the plea filed by the actor as the trial in the case was already headed towards a conclusion in the Ernakulam principal and sessions court
Published on Apr 08, 2025 08:22 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
IUML leader to meet Sibal over Waqf Act
IUML's PK Kunhalikutty to meet MP Kapil Sibal to discuss legal action against Waqf Amendment Act, citing minority rights concerns and planning protests.
Published on Apr 07, 2025 07:56 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi