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
Seven suspended for ragging first year student in Kerala
This is the third incident of assault in the name of ragging at an educational institute in the state in recent weeks.
Published on Feb 19, 2025 07:10 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Kerala nurse body bars 5 students over ragging; principal suspended
The council observed that the accused — 3 of them from third-year and 2 second-year students — are unfit to enrol as nursing students in the state in the future
Published on Feb 16, 2025 03:00 AM IST
Five held in ragging case to be expelled: Min
The five students were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly assaulting and ragging a group of first-year students and extorting money from them
Published on Feb 15, 2025 03:00 AM IST
3 dead at Kerala temple after 2 jumbos run amok
A local municipal councillor said that the elephants brought the temple for festival suddenly became agitated allegedly after hearing the loud sounds of firecrackers
Published on Feb 14, 2025 07:40 AM IST
5 Kerala nursing students held for brutal ragging
Five students at Kottayam's Government Nursing College were arrested for allegedly assaulting and extorting first-year students; they face severe charges.
Updated on Feb 13, 2025 06:27 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
No populist measure as Kerala budget focusses on infra push
In the state’s annual statement, the fiscal deficit as percentage of GSDP has been pegged at 3.16% in FY 2025-26, down from 3.51% the previous financial year
Published on Feb 08, 2025 08:14 AM IST
Kerala to allocate ₹750 crore for Wayanad landslide survivors: Finance minister
Kerala finance minister KN Balagopal announced the project while presenting the annual budget for the 2025-26 financial year (FY) in the Assembly
Updated on Feb 07, 2025 12:56 PM IST
Kerala: Vacant homes to be utilised for tourism as part of new ‘K-Home’ project
In the initial phase, the project will be implemented within a 10-km radius of popular hotspots such as Fort Kochi, Munnar, Kumarakom and Kovalam.
Published on Feb 07, 2025 11:56 AM IST
Accused in Kerala ‘CSR scam’ duped 200 NGOs, say police
The accused allegedly cheated people and charitable societies by promising to deliver two-wheelers, laptops and household appliances at half the price
Published on Feb 07, 2025 07:56 AM IST
Hundreds cheated after being promised two-wheelers at half the price in Kerala
Police said over 10 FIRs have been filed across Kannur, Ernakulam and Idukki districts with hundreds of complaints pouring in by the hour from mostly women who have allegedly been swindled
Published on Feb 06, 2025 08:26 AM IST
Tiger declared ‘man-eater’ after fatal attack on woman in Kerala
The announcement was made by forest and wildlife minister AK Saseendran following a high-level meeting at the District Collectorate where it was also decided to enhance the wildlife management plan.
Updated on Jan 27, 2025 05:06 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Kerala tribal woman killed by a tiger, ‘capture or kill’ order issued
A 45-year-old tribal woman was killed by a tiger in Wayanad, sparking protests and calls for the capture or killing of the animal by locals.
Updated on Jan 25, 2025 07:58 AM IST
Two churches and a volatile chasm on the Malabar coast
The December 3 verdict sparked tensions along the Malabar coast and prompted the top court to order status quo on December 17
Updated on Jan 24, 2025 06:10 AM IST
56 held for rape of Kerala Dalit athlete, Vijayan tells assembly
The chief minister revealed the details and progress of the police probe in response to starred questions filed by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) legislators.
Updated on Jan 24, 2025 06:26 AM IST
Sr Noelle Rose to become first nun to lead NSS contingent at R-day parade
Sr Noelle Rose was picked by the regional directorate of the NSS from over 3,000 officers to lead the contingent of 12 volunteers from Kerala and Lakshadweep
Updated on Jan 21, 2025 08:20 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
New Kerala governor sticks to govt script in House
Arlekar, who assumed the post as the constitutional head of the state on January 2, stuck to the government-prepared script, avoiding controversies unlike his predecessor
Updated on Jan 18, 2025 06:58 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Kerala facing liquidity stress due to declining Union fiscal transfers: Governor
Kerala governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar’s policy address at the state Assembly highlighted the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s commitment to eradicating extreme poverty
Published on Jan 17, 2025 05:12 PM IST
Forest amendment bill put on hold: Kerala CM
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan underlined that the government would not take the legislation forward without allaying the concerns about the bill among various stakeholders
Updated on Jan 16, 2025 07:06 AM IST
Athlete’s mother may move to shelter home
Two more men were arrested in connection with the rape of the athlete, officials said on Tuesday, taking the number of the those arrested so far to 44
Updated on Jan 15, 2025 08:14 AM IST
PV Anvar resigns as MLA, becomes TMC convener for Kerala
Independent MLA from Nilambur PV Anvar, who broke ranks with the CPI(M)-led LDF last year over a range of issues, resigned as legislator on Monday
Updated on Jan 14, 2025 08:00 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Kerala athlete sexual abuse: SIT files 11 more FIRs, 42 held so far
The SIT also revealed that the woman was gang-raped multiple times in more than one location within Pathanamthitta district
Updated on Jan 14, 2025 04:03 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Kerala independent MLA PV Anvar resigns as legislator days after joining TMC
Anvar said that he will not contest the bypoll in Nilambur and announced his support to the Congress -led UDF in the bypoll
Published on Jan 13, 2025 11:29 AM IST
25-member SIT set up to probe Dalit athlete’s rape case, 13 more held
Her detailed statement will be recorded by a woman sub-inspector of Pathanamthitta police station, officials added.
Updated on Jan 13, 2025 04:45 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Row over Kerala man’s entombment; cops want to exhume body
The body was interred under a tomb-like structure as per his “last wish” by his two sons on January 9.
Updated on Jan 13, 2025 07:06 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
2017 Kerala rape-suicide: CBI names parents of victims in charge sheet
The Central Bureau of Investigation has named the parents of two minor girls, who were found dead at their home in Walayar in 2017 after rape, in a supplementary charge sheet, officials said on Thursday
Updated on Jan 10, 2025 07:58 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Satheesan alleges ₹101 crore loss in Kerala financial body’s investment in Reliance
CPM leader and former finance minister TM Thomas Isaac countered the VD Satheesan’s allegations and termed them “ridiculous”.
Updated on Jan 03, 2025 08:16 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Two townships to be built for Wayanad survivors: Kerala CM
The survivors of landslides in Meppadi, Wayanad who lost their homes and belongings will be rehabilitated in two model townships complete with disaster-resilient and self-sufficient infrastructure
Updated on Jan 02, 2025 08:12 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Maha min calls Kerala ‘mini Pak’, LDF and UDF leaders slam remark
Kerala's LDF and UDF condemned BJP's Nitesh Rane for calling the state "mini-Pakistan," demanding his resignation for remarks seen as hateful.
Updated on Dec 31, 2024 10:59 PM IST
Family of nurse on death row in Yemen pins hope on Indian govt
Uncertainty wracked the family of 34-year-old Nimisha Priya, who was sentenced to death by the Yemeni president on Monday.
Updated on Jan 01, 2025 06:30 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi
Malayalam author dies at 91; tributes pour in
The 91-year-old author, popularly known as MT in literary and social circles, was admitted to the pvt hospital two weeks ago as a result of a cardiac arrest and was on ventilator support prior to his death
Updated on Dec 26, 2024 06:08 AM IST
Vishnu Varma, Kochi