Kochi: The Kerala police conducted raids at the offices of the news portal Marunadan Malayali and the residences of several reporters on Monday in connection with a defamation case filed by Kunnathunad CPI (M) MLA PV Sreenijin.
The case revolves around a news report aired on May 24, 2023, on the YouTube channel called Marunadan Malayali which alleged improper administration of the Sports Hostel during Sreenijin's tenure as chairman of the District Sports Council.
The Kerala High Court had recently denied anticipatory bail to Shajan Skariah, the editor of the news portal who also runs a YouTube channel after the Special Court for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act found merit in the allegations against him.
The raids at the Marunadan Malayali office in Kochi and its employees' homes were said to have been conducted to recover the sources of the controversial news item that targeted MLA Sreenijin. During the operation, law enforcement officials seized various electronic devices, including laptops, computers, and mobile phones, from the employees. The confiscated items are expected to be returned following the completion of the investigation.
MLA PV Sreenijin had lodged a complaint against the news channel, claiming that the report contained defamatory and derogatory remarks targeting him. The prosecution argued that Shajan Skariah knew Sreenijin's identity as a Scheduled Caste member and an MLA representing a reserved constituency.
However, Shajan maintained his innocence, asserting that he had no intention to defame or insult the MLA. The denial of anticipatory bail by the Special Court for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act prompted Shajan to approach the Kerala High Court for anticipatory bail but in vain.