Ernakulam police recently took C.K. Gopalakrishnan, a prominent local Congress leader from North Paravur, into custody. He has been identified as the primary accused in a defamation case initiated by CPI(M) leader K.J. Shine.
Gopalakrishnan was later released on bail after his arrest was formally recorded by the Ernakulam Rural Cyber police in Aluva. His appearance at the police station on Wednesday came nearly a month after the initial booking. This development follows the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court’s decision to dismiss an anticipatory bail plea by Gopalakrishnan, as police confirmed that only bailable offenses were applicable in his case. Earlier, YouTuber K.M. Shajahan, another individual implicated in the case, had also been arrested by a special investigation team and subsequently granted bail by a magistrate court.
Authorities are still seeking to question Yaser Edapal, the third accused, who is currently believed to be outside the country. An investigating officer stated, “We are awaiting metadata related to his social media account from Meta. Once received, further actions will be taken, including potentially issuing a lookout circular.” The Facebook page where Gopalakrishnan allegedly posted the controversial content has already been removed by Meta.
The three individuals involved face charges under Section 78 (stalking) and Section 79 (insulting the modesty of a woman) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additionally, they have been charged under Section 67 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, pertaining to the publication or transmission of obscene material in electronic form, and Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act, which addresses causing nuisance through any means of communication.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused intentionally published content, including the complainant’s name and photograph, alongside sexually explicit remarks on various social media platforms between September 14 and September 18, 2025. This was allegedly done with the clear intent to defame K.J. Shine and outrage her modesty.