Kerala: FIR against Youtuber for alleging police's role in Sabarimala gold theft case

The case was registered based on a complaint filed by ADGP S. Sreejith.

According to the FIR, Shajahan allegedly circulated videos through a YouTube channel 'Prathipaksham' that were intended to insult Sabarimala Chief Police Coordinator S Sreejith as well as the police force. The complaint states that the content was capable of causing resentment towards the police force among Sabarimala devotees and inciting hostility between communities on religious grounds, with the potential to trigger unrest.

The FIR further notes that Shajahan made false allegations in the video, claiming that ADGP S. Sreejith and the police had a role in the Sabarimala gold theft case.

The case has been registered against KM Shajahan under Sections 192 (Provocation with intent to cause riot) and 196(1)(a) (Promoting enmity between different groups) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act, which deals with causing a nuisance of himself to any person by repeated or undesirable or anonymous message through any means of communication.

Meanwhile, during the ongoing probe into the Sabarimala gold theft case, authorities said on Sunday that the crowd situation at Sabrimala is entirely under control and are planning to add the number of virtual queue slots.

Travancore Devaswom Board President K Jayakumar said, "The crowd situation at Sabarimala is completely under control. Even though today is Sunday, the expected rush did not occur. Devotees are fully cooperating with the arrangements. Spot booking will be regulated based on the day's situation, and we will consider increasing the number of virtual queue slots."

The former Travancore Devaswom Board President, A Padmakumar, was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days in the case, while the prime accused, Unnikrishnan Potti, was reportedly taken into custody by the SIT on October 17. (ANI)