‘Strange Defence’: Sunny Joseph Backs K M Shaji for Using Friend’s Luxury Car Instead of Official Vehicle

Thiruvananthapuram: Minister Sunny Joseph has defended Minister K M Shaji over his use of a friend's luxury car instead of the official vehicle. Sunny Joseph said Shaji was saving government money by not using the official vehicle.

The private car that Shaji had been using officially in violation of rules was returned to its owner recently. The owner brought the car to his residence in Thillankeri Kavumbadi on Saturday morning.

Minister K M Shaji had been travelling in the private vehicle with an official government board displayed on it. The minister's official driver was also driving the car. The Range Rover, bearing registration number KL 78 A 0009, belonged to a private individual from Thillankeri Kavumbadi who is a businessman in Riyadh. The vehicle was being used with the Kerala State 13 designation.

At present, only two ministers have permission to use private vehicles in addition to official vehicles. Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and V E Abdul Gafoor have been granted such permission.

However, the Minister K M Shaji used the private vehicle in violation of the rules.