Sddhvnkengineering at 05:51, 29 March 2026

2026-03-29T05:51:57Z

New page

{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = K. T. Jaleel
| image = KT Jaleel.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|05|30|df=yes}}
| nationality = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| office = [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member]] of the [[Kerala Legislative Assembly]]
| term_start = {{Start date|2011|05|13|df=yes}}
| term_end =
| constituency = [[Thavanur (State Assembly constituency)|Thavanur]]
| predecessor = ''Constituency established''
| 1blankname2 = [[Chief Minister]]
| 1namedata2 = [[Pinarayi Vijayan]]
| office2 = [[First Vijayan ministry|Minister for Higher Education & Local Self Governments]], [[Government of Kerala]]
| term_start2 = {{Start date|2018|08|14|df=yes}}
| term_end2 = {{End date|2021|04|13|df=yes}}
| successor2 = * [[R. Bindu]]
<small>(Higher Education)</small>
* [[M.B. Rajesh]]
<small>(Local Self Governments)</small>
| term_start1 = {{Start date|2006|05|11|df=yes}}
| term_end1 = {{End date|2011|05|13|df=yes}}
| constituency1 = [[Kuttippuram (State Assembly constituency)|Kuttippuram]]
| predecessor1 = [[P. K. Kunhalikutty]]
| successor1 = ''Constituency abolished''
| party = Independent
| education = [[Doctor of Philosophy]]
| spouse = Fathima Jaleel
| children = 3
| website =
| footnotes =
| date =
| year =
| source =
}}

'''K. T. Jaleel''' (born 30 May 1967) is an Indian politician from [[Kerala]] and a [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of Legislative Assembly]] (MLA) from [[Thavanur (State Assembly constituency)|Thavanur]] and has served as Minister of [[Department of Higher Education (Kerala)|Higher Education]], [[Department of Minority Welfare (Kerala)|Welfare of Minorities]], Waqf and Hajj in the [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front (LDF)]] -led ministry. He was first elected to Kerala Legislative Assembly in [[2006 Kerala Legislative Assembly election|2006]]. He was an Associate Professor of History at [[Pocker Sahib Memorial Orphanage College|P. S. M. O. College]], Tirurangadi.<ref>{{cite web |author= |url=http://niyamasabha.org/codes/13kla/mem/dr_k_t_jaleel.htm |title=Members – Kerala Legislature |publisher=Niyamasabha.org |date= |accessdate=2013-09-08 |archive-date=24 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130824071127/http://niyamasabha.org/codes/13kla/mem/dr_k_t_jaleel.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
He previously served as Minister of [[Local Self Government Department (Kerala)|Local Self Governments]], [[Government of Kerala]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/elections-2016/india/india-news-india/pinarayi-vijayan-sworn-in-as-kerala-cm-2818813/ | title=Pinarayi Vijayan takes oath as Kerala Chief Minister | date=26 May 2016 | newspaper=The Indian Express | first=Shaju | last=Philip | accessdate=11 August 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/simi-leader-to-cpm-poster-boy-the-rise-and-rise-of-kt-jaleel-who-was-grilled-by-ed-in-gold-smuggling-case-2875677.html | title=SIMI Leader to CPM Poster Boy: The Rise and Rise of KT Jaleel Who Was Grilled by ED in Gold Smuggling Case | date=14 September 2020 }}</ref>

==Education==

He completed his Primary education from GUPS-Painkanur, [[Valanchery]] and AUPS Velimukku. His secondary education was from Government Higher secondary School, [[Kuttippuram]]. He did his pre-degree from Islahiya College, Chenamangalur, and his Graduation and Post-graduation from [[Pocker Sahib Memorial Orphanage College]] (PSMO College), [[Tirurangadi]]. He owns an M.Phil-degree from [[University of Calicut]] and Ph.D. from [[Kerala University]], [[Thiruvananthapuram]] for the topic "Role of Variyamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji and Ali Musliyar in the Malabar Rebellion of 1921". He is currently Associate Professor in History, in [[Pocker Sahib Memorial Orphanage College|Pocker Sahib Memorial Orphanage College (PSMO) College]], [[Tirurangadi]] and settled at [[Valanchery]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://psmocollege.ac.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49&Itemid=92 |title=Department of History |publisher=Psmocollege.ac.in |date= |accessdate=2013-09-08}}</ref>

== Political life ==

He was a follower of the [[Students' Islamic Movement of India]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/south/past-students-islamic-movement-of-india-connections-still-haunts-kerala-minister-k-t-jaleel-889382.html|title=Past Students Islamic Movement of India connections still haunts Kerala minister K T Jaleel|date=18 September 2020|website=Deccan Herald}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2021/apr/14/the-curious-trajectory-of-kt-jaleels-political-rise-2289776.html|title=The curious trajectory of KT Jaleel's political rise|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> leader as a student and a chairman,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/politics/simi-leader-to-cpm-poster-boy-the-rise-and-rise-of-kt-jaleel-who-was-grilled-by-ed-in-gold-smuggling-case-2875677.html|title=SIMI Leader to CPM Poster Boy: The Rise and Rise of KT Jaleel Who Was Grilled By ED in Gold Smuggling Case|date=14 September 2020|website=News18}}</ref> then joined the [[Muslim Students Federation (I. U. M. L.)|Muslim Students Federation]], the students’ wing of the [[Indian Union Muslim League]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Anandan|first=S.|date=2020-09-20|title=K.T. Jaleel — a giant killer in the dock|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kt-jaleel-a-giant-killer-in-the-dock/article32650532.ece|access-date=2020-09-20|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He was ousted from the youth wing of IUML following differences with the leadership.<ref name=":0" /> Afterwards he contested independently with LDF support.

He was elected as an MLA for the first time in 2006, from [[Kuttippuram (State Assembly constituency)|Kuttippuram constituency]] as LDF supported Independent candidate, defeating the then IUML General Secretary<ref>{{cite web|date=2006-05-14|title=Kerala News : IUML citadel no more invincible|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/14/stories/2006051400530500.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130811101851/http://www.hindu.com/2006/05/14/stories/2006051400530500.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-08-11|work=[[The Hindu]]|accessdate=2013-09-08}}</ref> [[P. K. Kunhalikutty]]. In 2011 he was elected from Thavanoor constituency, defeating V. V. Prakash of [[Indian National Congress]] by a margin of 6,854 votes.<ref>{{cite web|date=2011-04-11|title=Kerala News : A hard fight for UDF, LDF in Thavanur|url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/11/stories/2011041155680700.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415232923/http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/11/stories/2011041155680700.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-04-15|work=[[The Hindu]]|accessdate=2013-09-08}}</ref> In 2016 he was reelected from Thavanoor, with a majority of 17,064, against P. Ifthiquarudheen of Indian National Congress.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.elections.in/kerala/assembly-constituencies/tavanur.html|title = Tavanur Election and Results 2018, Candidate list, Winner, Runner-up, Current MLA and Previous MLAs}}</ref>

Jaleel had come under fire after being accused of nepotism by [[Firos (politician)|P.K.Firos]] of [[Indian Union Muslim League]] over the appointment of his cousin as the general manager of Kerala State Minorities Development Finance Corporation (KSMDFC).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/accused-nepotism-kerala-minister-kt-jaleel-s-relative-steps-down-govt-post-91430 |title= K.T. Jaleel accused of nepotism |publisher=The News Minute |date=2018-11-12}}</ref> Kerala High Court had dismissed the plea regarding the same on 11 July 2019 and criticised the political agendas behind the petition by Firos.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-07-11|title=കെ.ടി.ജലീലിനെതിരായ ഹര്‍ജി ഫിറോസ് പിന്‍വലിച്ചു; ഹര്‍ജി തള്ളി ഹൈക്കോടതി|url=https://malayalam.indianexpress.com/kerala-news/kt-jaleel-case-pk-firoz-high-court/|access-date=2020-09-16|website=Indian Express Malayalam|language=ml}}</ref> Jaleel was accused of links to the [[2020 Kerala gold smuggling case]] and was questioned by [[Enforcement Directorate|Enforcement Directorate (ED)]] and the [[National Investigation Agency|National Investigation Agency (NIA)]].<ref name=":0" /> He denied any involvement, saying that the contact with one of the accused Swapna was regarding a charity work as suggested by the Consulate General of UAE.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/kerala-gold-scam-swapna-suresh-and-cpim-leader-kt-jaleel-exchanged-16-calls/621444 |title= 16 calls made between CPI(M) leader KT Jaleel and Kerala gold scam accused Swapna Suresh |publisher=The News Minute |date=2018-11-12}}</ref>

K T Jaleel resigned four days after a state anti-corruption ombudsman declared him to be guilty of “favouritism and nepotism”.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala/kerala-minister-k-t-jaleel-resigns-7271626/ |title= Kerala minister K T Jaleel resigns after Lokayukta report; HC reserves order on its quashing |publisher=The Indian Express|date=2021-04-13}}</ref>
K T Jaleel was elected from the constituency Thavanoor in Malapuram defeating Firos Kunamparambil a charity worker with a vote margin of 2,564 Votes in 2021 Kerala Assembly Election.

==Positions held==
He held positions such as: Chairman, P.S. M.O. College Union; he served as [[Muslim Students Federation (I. U. M. L.)|MSF]] chairman in his education period, Malappuram District Council;
Director, Kerala Automobiles Ltd and Malcotex, Karthala Chungam;
General Secretary, Kerala State Muslim Youth League;
Chairman, Standing Committee on Education and Health, District Panchayat Malappuram;
Syndicate member, [[Calicut University]];
Director of [[Department of Non Resident Keralites Affairs|Norka Roots]].<ref>{{cite news|author= |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/system-to-verify-authenticity-of-work-visas/article51690.ece |title=System to verify authenticity of work visas |work=The Hindu |date=2009-11-20 |accessdate=2013-09-08}}</ref>

==Controversies==
{{cleanup|reason=This section requires copy editing|date=October 2021}}
In 2021, KT Jaleel had to resign from the Pinarayi cabinet after the [[Kerala Lokayukta]] found him guilty of [[nepotism]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/kt-jaleel-faces-black-flag-demo-by-iuml-activists-over-nepotism-charges-1.3294406|title=KT Jaleel faces black flag demo by IUML activists over nepotism charges|website=Mathrubhumi|date=9 November 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/nepotism-pk-firos-demands-to-expel-minister-jaleel-1.3278310|title=Nepotism: PK Firos demands to expel minister Jaleel|website=Mathrubhumi|date=3 November 2018 }}</ref> and that he had ‘misused’ his official powers to appoint a family member in Kerala State Minorities Development [[Kerala Financial Corporation|Finance Corporation]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kerala-mla-kt-jaleel-approaches-sc-against-lokayukta-nepotism-row-153365|title=Kerala MLA KT Jaleel approaches SC against Lokayukta in nepotism row|date=3 August 2021|website=The News Minute}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-minister-kt-jaleel-quits-four-days-after-lokayutka-s-guilty-verdict-101618307201128.html|title=Kerala minister KT Jaleel quits four days after Lokayutka's 'guilty' verdict|date=13 April 2021|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> In 2018, Jaleel had appointed his close relative KT Adeeb<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/adeeb-has-expertise-govt-appointed-him-ksmdfc/article25445391.ece|title=Adeeb has expertise, govt appointed him: KSMDFC|author=Staff Reporter|newspaper=The Hindu |date=8 November 2018|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref> as General Manager of the KSMDFC, under the Ministry of Minority Welfare in Kerala.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/appointment-of-jaleels-kin-lok-ayukta-seeks-documents/article26217667.ece|title=Appointment of Jaleel's kin: Lok Ayukta seeks documents|newspaper=The Hindu |date=8 February 2019|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/youth-congress-stages-protest-march-to-kt-jaleel-s-residence-kerala-1.3429865|title=Youth Congress stages protest march to KT Jaleel's residence|website=Mathrubhumi|date=27 December 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.madhyamam.com/top-news/nepotism-kt-jaleel-petition-in-supreme-court-against-lokayukta-report-and-high-court-verdict-832182|title=ബന്ധു നിയമനം: ഹൈകോടതി വിധിക്കെതിരെ കെ.ടി. ജലീൽ സുപ്രീംകോടതിയിൽ|first=മാധ്യമം|last=ലേഖകൻ|date=3 August 2021|website=www.madhyamam.com}}</ref>

In 2020 there was an investigation of the illegal import of dates and religious texts through [[Diplomatic courier]] mailed to the UAE Consulate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/kerala-minister-kt-jaleel-and-the-case-of-illegal-imports-through-uae-consulate-7034060/|title=Explained: Kerala minister Jaleel and the case of illegal imports through UAE Consulate|date=10 November 2020}}</ref> These emerged during a probe into the [[smuggling]] of 30 kg of gold through diplomatic cargo to the Consulate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/customs-to-interrogate-minister-k-t-jaleel-1.5190473|title=Customs to interrogate minister K T Jaleel|website=Mathrubhumi|date=7 November 2020 }}</ref>
The [[National Investigation Agency]] (NIA) called Jaleel as a witness in the [[2020 Kerala gold smuggling case|Gold smuggling case]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/nia-questions-kt-jaleel-in-connection-with-kerala-gold-smuggling-case/story-obfOzN1f7B4YWF5D9j8nNP.html|title=NIA questions KT Jaleel in connection with Kerala gold smuggling case|date=17 September 2020|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> which has listed him as the 114th witness, had recorded his statements on 17 September 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/jaleel-114th-witness-in-gold-smuggling-case/article33895219.ece|title=NIA names Jaleel as witness in gold smuggling case|first=K. s|last=Sudhi|newspaper=The Hindu |date=21 February 2021|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2020/10/09/kt-jaleel-gold-smuggling-case-ed.html|title=Gold smuggling case: ED collects property details of Minister KT Jaleel|website=OnManorama}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/kerala-gold-smuggling-case-after-ed-nia-customs-quiz-minister-kt-jaleel/articleshow/79133490.cms|title=Kerala gold smuggling case: After ED & NIA, Customs quiz minister KT Jaleel | Kochi News - Times of India|website=The Times of India|date=9 November 2020 }}</ref> KT Jaleel's Kashmir-related Facebook post also led to controversy.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-13 |title=Kashmir remark: Court directs Delhi Police to register FIR against KT Jaleel |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2022/09/12/delhi-police-directed-register-fir-against-jaleel-over-kashmir-fb-post.html |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=Onmanorama |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Pinarayi Vijayan Cabinet 2016 |state=expanded}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jaleel, K. T.}}
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian Union Muslim League]]
[[Category:Politicians from Malappuram district]]
[[Category:Kerala MLAs 2006–2011]]
[[Category:Kerala MLAs 2016–2021]]
[[Category:Kerala MLAs 2011–2016]]
[[Category:Higher education ministers of Kerala]]

K. T. Jaleel - Revision history

Sddhvnkengineering at 05:51, 29 March 2026