Police in Kerala arrested the joint secretary of BMS (Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh), Thiruvananthapuram district, Govind R Thampi, on Sunday on charges of issuing a death threat against Asianet News TV chief coordinating editor, Sindhu Sooryakumar.
The Indian Express reported that he was later released on bail. According to the newspaper, Thampi, on his Facebook page, had allegedly stated that he would kill Sindhu, who had insulted Durga Devi, and challenged those with guts to register a case against him.
The Hindu reported that he was arrested under various charges including Section 107, 500, 506 (1), 509 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 120 of the Kerala Police Act, and Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act. The accused was let off on bail.
The News Minute had reported last month that Sindhu was abused online and on phone following an on-air discussion she hosted on February 26, on whether celebrating Mahishashura Jayanthi could be considered an act of treason.
Sindhu filed a complaint on February 27 with the Thiruvanathapuram Commissioner of Police, who registered an FIR. She provided the police with around 20 telephone numbers which led to arrests of members belonging to some Hindu groups.
Speaking to The News Minute, Sindhu had said that almost 98 % of the people who had called her and abused her had not actually seen the discussion on television.
The abuse was triggered by a rumour on social media that Sindhu had found no fault with Durga being termed a sex-worker. The alleged messages on Whatsapp and Facebook circulated Sindhu’s mobile number too and exhorted one and all to call Sindhu and shower her with the choicest abuses for her supposed act of treason.
Sindhu is a very popular face on Asianet News with a large fan base for her mature and hard-hitting presentation style.