The Kerala Police on Monday, May 5, arrested Shajan Scaria, owner and editor of the online news outlet Marunadan Malayali, in connection with a defamation case filed by a woman based in Mahe. He was arrested late at night from his residence in Kudappanakunnu by the Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Police and later released on bail after being presented before a magistrate.
According to reports, the complainant alleged that a video published on the Marunadan Malayali YouTube channel contained sexually explicit references and defamatory remarks that severely affected her personal life.
Shajan was booked under section 790 (offences related to defamation and character defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and under relevant sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act and Kerala Police (KP) Act.
Following his arrest, Shajan was presented before the Vanjiyoor Magistrate. The court granted him bail under strict conditions, including the requirement of two sureties.
Speaking to the media during his arrest, Shajan called the case a fabricated one. He blamed Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for the arrest and vowed to fight him “till his last breath.” He also asked what was the necessity to drag him out of his house in the night.