In a fresh development in the Wayanad school study tour controversy, CCTV footage purportedly showing the principal of Government Higher Secondary School, Meenangadi, and its Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) president entering a bar in Hyderabad has emerged. The footage, along with details of a payment made at the establishment, has brought renewed attention to allegations of alcohol consumption during the trip.

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The development comes amid allegations by the school management committee that principal Shivi Krishnan, who is associated with the pro-Left Kerala School Teachers' Association, was politically targeted through the transfer order issued after the controversy.

The Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT) has meanwhile stayed his transfer to Government Higher Secondary School, Vaduvanchal.

What do the CCTV visuals show?

The footage is reportedly from Bombay Bar and Restaurant in Nampally, Hyderabad. It shows Krishnan and PTA president S. Hajis Ulladan arriving at the establishment and leaving later.

Details of the bill also emerged. An amount of Rs 1,100 was reportedly paid using an ATM card linked to Ulladan's bank account.

Some students who participated in the tour had reportedly seen the principal and PTA president entering the bar during the afternoon. Around half of the students were staying at Hotel Highlight, located opposite the establishment.

The footage and payment details have surfaced amid allegations that the two had consumed alcohol during the trip.

How did the school tour controversy begin?

More than 130 students from the Meenangadi school travelled to Hyderabad in separate buses last week. During the return journey, allegations emerged that the PTA president had consumed alcohol.

Videos purportedly showing Ulladan in an intoxicated condition were circulated among parents through social media. Rumours subsequently spread that the principal had also consumed alcohol.

A group of parents and political activists confronted Krishnan when the buses returned to the school. Police intervened and escorted him to safety.

However, laboratory examination of the principal's blood samples found no trace of alcohol. Despite this medical clearance proving he was not drunk, some parents and students continue to challenge the finding. But another set of students who took part in the trip maintain that he had not consumed liquor.

Ulladan denied drinking alcohol and said there had been no demand for his blood samples to be tested.

Transfer, political targeting allegations and tribunal order

The Regional Deputy Director (RDD) of Education conducted an inquiry and found that the school had not obtained the required permission for the tour. The trip, initially planned for three days, was also extended to five days.

The school authorities disputed the finding that permission had not been sought. They produced an application submitted to the RDD on August 14, around two-and-a-half months before the journey, and said the office had not responded.

The Higher Education Department subsequently transferred Krishnan to Vaduvanchal, citing alleged violations of government guidelines.

The school management committee questioned the action, alleging political targeting because of the principal's association with the pro-Left teachers' organisation. It also asked why similar action had not been taken against other schools that organised trips to Hyderabad.

Krishnan challenged the transfer before the KAT, arguing that the decision was unfair and that the school had followed the prescribed procedures. The tribunal stayed the transfer order.

The decision came amid protests by Plus One and Plus Two students demanding his reinstatement. Students had also disrupted classes over the issue.