---
title: "K.M. Shaji Returns Range Rover and Responds to Vehicle Controversy"
english_title: "K.M. Shaji Responds After Returning Range Rover"
publisher: "Truevision English News"
canonical_url: "https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/383506/km-shaji-returns-range-rover-responds-to-vehicle-controversy"
published_at: "2026-09-20T06:40:00+05:30"
category: "Big Story"
language: "en"
image: "https://cf.zdn.im/img/truevisionnews.com/0/image-uploads/6aaf338861d61_km-shaji-returns-range-rover-responds-to-vehicle-controversy.jpg"
keywords: ["K M Shaji", "Range Rover controversy", "Kerala Minister", "private vehicle", "Kerala politics"]
---

# K.M. Shaji Returns Range Rover and Responds to Vehicle Controversy

> **Lead Summary:** Kozhikode: Kerala Minister K.M. Shaji has returned the Range Rover belonging to his friend following controversy over his use of the private luxury vehicle instead of the government-allotted vehicle. The Range Rover was subsequently taken to the residence of its owner, Yakoob, a native of Thillankeri in Kannur. Reports said the vehicle had been returned amid the controversy surrounding its use for official travel.

## Article Content

Kozhikode: Kerala Minister K.M. Shaji has returned the Range Rover belonging to his friend following controversy over his use of the private luxury vehicle instead of the government-allotted vehicle. The Range Rover was subsequently taken to the residence of its owner, Yakoob, a native of Thillankeri in Kannur. Reports said the vehicle had been returned amid the controversy surrounding its use for official travel.

> After returning the vehicle, Shaji responded through a Facebook post. Referring to the controversy, he wrote that he did not have a “fake banana bunch” on his vehicle to stop it and said he would speak about an important matter at 11.30 the next morning.

Shaji said there was nothing wrong, in his view, with using anyone’s vehicle after following the required procedures. He added that everyone had the right to point out any legal issue connected with the matter. He also stated that he had obtained the necessary permissions before using the private vehicle.

The minister said the Range Rover was not a vehicle he had started using after becoming a minister and claimed that he had used it occasionally for several years, including several times during the previous five years when he did not hold any position of authority. He referred to his friendships with people who own expensive vehicles and said he did not see anything wrong with using such vehicles after following the required procedures.

Shaji also said that the government vehicle allotted to him had been sent for servicing, which was why he used the private vehicle. His office said the private vehicle was discontinued after the government vehicle completed its service. The minister’s office also stated that no fuel expenses were claimed from the government for the use of the private vehicle.

In his Facebook post, Shaji asked journalists and the public to examine whether anyone connected to his friendships was receiving any improper benefit from the government system. He said that if such a benefit was found, it should be brought to his attention and that of the public. He also said that if he himself was found to be doing anything improper for such friendships, there should be no leniency towards him.

> Addressing what he described as political opponents and critics, Shaji said he had not been afraid of them and did not intend to be afraid in the future. He concluded by saying that any vehicle he travelled in, if legally permitted to be on the road, would be driven, and again referred to the “fake banana bunch” remark.

The controversy had centred on Shaji’s use of his friend Yakoob’s Range Rover in place of the government-allotted vehicle. Shaji had earlier said that the government vehicle had travelled nearly four lakh kilometres

### Related Links & Sources
- [Original Story Source](https://english.truevisionnews.com/news/383506/km-shaji-returns-range-rover-responds-to-vehicle-controversy)