{
  "id": 18332960,
  "title": "School excursion row: UDF leaders release CCTV footage in support of their claims",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/school-excursion-row-udf-leaders-release-cctv-footage-in-support-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T16:24:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/school-excursion-row-udf-leaders-release-cctv-footage-in-support-of-their-claims/article71669881.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On November 5, the United Democratic Front (UDF) Meenangadi panchayat committee unveiled CCTV footage, purportedly obtained from a bar in Nampally, Hyderabad, to bolster their claims regarding the recent student excursion at Meenangadi Government Higher Secondary School. The footage, presented at a press conference by UDF leaders, including former panchayat president K.E. Vinayan, allegedly captured school Principal Shivi Krishnan and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) president Hijas Ulladan entering and exiting the establishment. The UDF alleged that the principal and the PTA president utilized the PTA president’s personal ATM card to pay a ₹1,100 bill for alcoholic beverages. Consequently, the UDF filed a formal complaint with the Wayanad District Police Chief and expressed intention to approach the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, claiming that students supporting school authorities faced severe cyberbullying, intimidation, and online attacks. The controversy began when allegations surfaced that school officials consumed alcohol during a study tour in Hyderabad. Principal Shivi Krishnan, a leader of a left-leaning teachers’ association, denied the accusations, stating they were a politically motivated attack. Despite a medical examination showing no alcohol in his system, a portion of students defended him. The UDF insisted that online media and vloggers were manipulated to manipulate public opinion, leading to the release of the CCTV footage to support their allegations.",
  "summary": "The leadership claimed that the visuals showed the principal and the PTA president entering and leaving the establishment, alleging that a bill of ₹1,100 for alcoholic beverages was settled using the PTA president’s personal ATM card.",
  "key_points": [
    "UDF Meenangadi panchayat releases CCTV footage on November 5",
    "Principal Shivi Krishnan and PTA president Hijas Ulladan seen at Hyderabad bar",
    "Complaint filed with Wayanad police and child rights commission"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}