NRI booked for obscene post against LDF candidate Shailaja

KOZHIKODE: Kerala police on Thursday registered a case against an NRI for the obscene post against Let Democratic Front (LDF) candidate KK Shailaja, MLA, in the Vatakara parliamentary constituency.

This is the third case booked by police for posting objectionable content on social media against the former health minister, who received accolades for efficient handling of COVID-19 and Nipah outbreak in Kerala. Police registered a case against Minhaj Kotente Meethal, Paloli, Thirivode, Naduvannur, near here for allegedly morphing Shailaja’s picture and forwarding it with obscene wordings.

The Matannur police have registered the case against Minhaj, who works in a Middle East country, slapping charges including incitement of violence based on a complaint filed by Shailaja.

On Tuesday, an activist of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) was also booked for allegedly making objectionable remarks on social media plaforms against Shailaja.

TH Aslam, a member of the New Mahe grama panchayat and the secretary of the IUML panchayat commitee, was booked by New Mahe police on 8 March under the sections IPC 153 and Kerala Police Act 120.

The FIR states that the accused shared an edited video, intentionally to spread hatred and riot over religious sentiments. Aslam posted the video in a Whatsapp group named Mangad (a place in New Mahe) Snehatheeram.

“The video was created using visuals of a programme aired on a TV Channel. I was a witness to the interview. Actually, she said that all the members of the Muslim community are not terrorists. Only a minority were involved in such activities. But the video was edited in published on contrary to her original statement, according to a worker of LDF.

IUML is a key ally in the Congress-led opposition United Democratic Front (UDF). Shailaja is contesting against Congress’ Shafi Parambil, MLA and Praful Krishna of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Perambra police have also registered a case against Salman Valoor, from Perambra, under the sections IPC 153, KPA 120 (o) and Representation of Kerala Police Act 125 based on a complaint filed by LDF. According to the complaint, Salman shared edited videos and morphed pictures of Shailaja through social media plaforms.

Both political fronts are locked in a tight fight in Vatakara as two members of state legislature are pited against each other. LDF candidate enjoys popular support and impeccable public image, while UDF contestant is a youth icon of Congress in the state. For both fronts the contest is prestigious and all out efforts are being made to gain an edge over rivals.