{
  "id": 8627024,
  "title": "Keralam minister K.M. Shaji faces controversy over use of ‘loaned’ luxury car as official vehicle",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/keralam-minister-k-m-shaji-faces-controversy-over-use-of-loaned",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-20T06:22:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/keralam-minister-km-shaji-faces-controversy-over-use-of-loaned-luxury-car-as-official-vehicle/article71487102.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "K.M. Shaji, a Local Bodies Minister and leader of the Indian Union Muslim League in Kerala, has found himself embroiled in a major political controversy after using a luxury SUV, purportedly borrowed from a friend in Saudi Arabia, as his official vehicle. The use of the Keralam State Government registration plate on the privately owned luxury vehicle reserved for cabinet ministers has sparked accusations of corruption, conflict of interest, unethical quid pro quos, and violation of the Constitutional oath of office. Photos of Shaji posing with the vehicle have gone viral, garnering praise from supporters and criticism from Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders like K.T. Jaleel and the Democratic Youth Federation of India State president, Chintha Jerome. Shaji initially defended his use of the \"borrowed\" vehicle, citing its high mileage and questionable roadworthiness, but eventually returned it to the car's owner after the Congress-led United Democratic Front government faced criticism for Kerala's power cuts. Responding to the controversy, Shaji challenged the Communist Party to block his passage if he continued using private vehicles for official duties and demanded a media investigation into his actions. Jaleel accused Shaji of violating the oath of office by accepting a freebie and demeaning State symbols, while Jerome demanded Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan clarify whether Shaji's acceptance of the vehicle constitutes an unethical quid pro quo.",
  "summary": "Photographs of K.M. Shaji posing alongside the car, which flew the national flag from a staff mounted on the vehicle’s bonnet, recently went viral on social and conventional media, drawing applause from his supporters and criticism from Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leaders.",
  "key_points": [
    "K.M. Shaji used borrowed luxury SUV as official vehicle.",
    "Controversy sparked over corruption and conflict of interest.",
    "Shaji returned vehicle after criticism and demand for media probe."
  ],
  "editors_take": "This incident undermines the government's integrity, lending credence to accusations of corruption and unethical conduct among officials, and potentially eroding public trust in the administration.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV",
        "title": "Keralam Minister KM Shaji Defends Using Friend's Range Rover As Official Vehicle",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/keralam-minister-km-shaji-defends-using-friends-range-rover-as",
        "published": "2026-09-20T05:45:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}