Controversial Range Rover rolls home; Minister KM Shaji’s luxury car row continues

KANNUR: The controversial Range Rover used by Local Self-Government Minister K.M. Shaji has been returned to its owner, KMCC leader Yakoob Thillankeri, at his residence in Thillankeri, Kannur, amid a political row over the minister's use of the privately owned luxury vehicle. Shaji is currently in Europe and is expected to return to Kerala on September 27. With the controversy over the vehicle continuing, questions remain over whether the minister will resume using it after his return.

The Opposition had criticised Shaji for using the Range Rover instead of the government-allotted Innova Crysta, alleging that a privately owned vehicle was being used for official purposes without the necessary government permission. It had also questioned the use of the state number, 13, on the private vehicle, alleging that it was done without permission from the General Administration Department.

Shaji has said the official Innova Crysta had already covered around 400,000 km and was not suitable for long-distance travel, prompting him to use the Range Rover. He has maintained that the state number was placed on the private vehicle with government permission and that he has not claimed any money from the government towards fuel or rent.