KMML Officer Reinstated, Promoted Despite Suspension Over Circulation of Communal Hate Videos

Thiruvananthapuram: A Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML) official who had been suspended after being found to have shared defamatory videos promoting religious enmity on social media has been reinstated with a clean chit — and given a promotion. Anil Muhammad, who was suspended while serving as Community and Public Relations Manager at KMML's Mineral Separation Unit, has been taken back into service and promoted to the rank of Assistant General Manager.

Also a YouTuber and general secretary of the Titanium Officers' Alliance, Anil Muhammad had, while serving as a government employee, shared videos that mocked the heads of various religions and were found capable of provoking communal violence. An investigation by the Industries Department's Officer on Special Duty had established that the videos were produced during office hours using official equipment, without the permission of KMML or the government.

The investigation was initiated following a complaint submitted to the then Chief Minister by Kollam Bishop Paul Antony on November 20, 2024. The allegations against him were substantiated with evidence, and serious offences were confirmed. He was also found to have travelled abroad without permission and to have misused official resources. A report recommending action up to and including dismissal from service had been submitted to Industries Principal Secretary M P Mohammed Haneesh. On March 26, 2025, the Industries Department Principal Secretary had directed the KMML MD to conduct further investigation, following which he was suspended. All of this has now been disregarded in the current move.