Defamatory remarks on Home Minister’s US trip; case filed against CPM leader KS Arun Kumar, Porali Shaji and others

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Police have registered a case against four people, including CPM leader K.S. Arun Kumar, for allegedly sharing defamatory posts on social media in connection with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala’s visit to the US. The case was registered based on a complaint filed by Youth Congress state general secretary B.S. Subij.

Besides Arun Kumar, the accused include Porali Shaji, a CPM-supporting Facebook page, as well as Shaji Charles and Kunhalankutty. Police have invoked sections relating to defamation and spreading false information allegedly aimed at creating unrest.

Subij had approached the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner and the Cantonment ACP the previous day, alleging that false claims were being circulated on social media about Chennithala’s US visit. The posts allegedly claimed that the minister had travelled on the most expensive flight ticket and that the expenses had been borne by the government exchequer.

Chennithala, however, had clarified that his trip was not funded by the government and that he had travelled to the US to attend the wedding of a friend’s son.