Kerala Cyber Police File Case Over Defamatory Facebook Post Targeting IUML Leader
The cyber police in Malappuram, Kerala, have officially registered a case concerning an alleged defamatory Facebook post that targeted Panakkad Sadikali Shihab Thangal, the state president of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). This legal action was initiated based on a formal complaint submitted by the IUML, which accused the post of attempting to malign the party leader through false accusations and a fabricated, morphed image.
Details of the Defamatory Post and Legal Action
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the offensive message was posted from the Facebook ID 'Shan Shanu' on a Sunday. The post included a fabricated photograph of Thangal, which was quickly removed, and the associated account was subsequently deleted. Police have registered the case under multiple legal provisions to address the severity of the incident.
The charges include:
- Sections 192 and 336(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
- Section 66C of the Information Technology Act
- Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act
Political Motivations and Reactions
In response to the incident, MYL state president Panakkad Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal characterized the act as a politically motivated provocation, particularly given the current election season. He emphasized that the posting of the defamatory content with a morphed image from a fake ID was not only an attack on the party but also a personal assault on the Thangal family.
Adding to the discourse, Left-backed independent MLA K T Jaleel expressed his views on the matter. Jaleel acknowledged Sadikali Thangal as a figure respected across party lines and urged the public to remain vigilant against malicious attempts to defame such esteemed individuals in society.
"I have criticized him politically, and that criticism will continue. But I have never engaged in character assassination, nor will I ever do so," Jaleel stated, highlighting the distinction between political disagreement and personal defamation.
He further addressed the issue of AI-generated images circulating on social media against Thangal, labeling them as completely fake. "Those who resort to such methods to malign any respectable individual are committing an unforgivable wrongdoing," Jaleel added, condemning the use of technology for harmful purposes.
This case underscores the growing challenges of cyber defamation in the digital age, especially during politically sensitive periods, and highlights the legal mechanisms being employed to combat such offenses in Kerala.
