Kerala minister says luxury car controversy involves no legal violation

Kerala Minister for Local Self-Governments K.M. Shaji has defended his use of a privately owned luxury car fitted with a state government registration plate, saying he had committed no legal violation. Speaking to the media on Sunday, Shaji said a photograph circulating on social media, showing him leaning against the luxury vehicle, had been created using artificial intelligence tools.

He accused the news media of amplifying a controversy generated by the Communist Party of India (Marxist)’s “cyber wing”. Shaji said the vehicle used by a minister did not necessarily have to belong to the government. According to his explanation, a private vehicle could be used for official purposes, provided it carried the tricolour.

He said the relevant issue would be whether any favour had been granted in return for use of the vehicle. The minister said he had borrowed the car from his friend Yakoob Thillenkeri, a Kannur-based businessman in Riyadh, and returned it before the controversy emerged. The vehicle had carried the registration plate “Keralam State 13”, which is reserved for official vehicles of Cabinet ministers.

Shaji said there was no legal issue in his use of the car, although he acknowledged a moral issue. He added that existing rules would need to be changed if authorities wanted to hold him responsible under them. The IUML leader said he had explained his position to senior party leaders and would not do anything illegal or against the government.

He also said he would respect the feelings of members of the United Democratic Front if the controversy had upset them. Shaji defended a trip to Bulgaria as well, saying he had travelled there after receiving an invitation from the World Malayali Forum. The supplied material does not include a response from the government or from those who criticised his use of the vehicle.