In a significant development in the social media slander case against Kerala CPI(M) leader K.J. Shine, none of the three accused reported to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, as mandated by official notices.
The SIT had issued summons to C.K. Gopalakrishnan, the North Paravur Assembly constituency secretary of the Congress party; K.M. Shajahan, former private secretary to late Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and operator of the YouTube channel ‘Prathipaksham’; and Yasar, also known as Kondotty Abu from Edappal. They were instructed to appear at the Aluva cyber police station. However, Mr. Gopalakrishnan, currently at large, opted to file for anticipatory bail in an Ernakulam court instead of presenting himself at the scheduled 10 a.m. appearance.
Similarly, Mr. Shajahan, who was expected at 2 p.m., remained at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram, with SIT sources indicating he was unlikely to comply. Yasar, on the other hand, reportedly departed for the UAE approximately a week prior to the summons. A notice for his appearance before the SIT has been set for Wednesday.
“Given the serious charges against them, the SIT is now considering either taking them into immediate custody or reissuing notices. For Yasar, an international lookout circular may be issued to facilitate his detention upon his return to the country,” stated sources within the SIT.
SIT’s Ongoing Efforts to Obtain IP Addresses from Meta
The Special Investigation Team has made repeated attempts to secure IP addresses from Meta authorities related to the alleged defamatory social media posts targeting Ms. Shine. She was the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate for the Ernakulam Lok Sabha constituency in the 2024 General Elections.
“Meta has yet to provide the requested IP addresses, instead asking for additional clarifications and specific details, which we have furnished. The investigation is ongoing, and more individuals found to be involved in similar slanderous activities will be identified and added to the list of accused,” SIT sources confirmed.
Previously, the SIT conducted raids at the homes of Mr. Gopalakrishnan and Mr. Shajahan, reportedly confiscating their mobile phones as part of the investigation.
The Ernakulam Rural cyberpolice have registered the case under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including Section 78 (stalking), Section 79 (actions intended to insult a woman’s modesty, encompassing verbal insults, inappropriate gestures or objects, and privacy invasions), along with Section 67 of the IT Act (publishing or transmitting obscene materials in electronic media), and Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act (causing a nuisance to any person through any means of communication).
In a related development, Mr. Gopalakrishnan’s wife has filed a petition with the Ernakulam Rural police, alleging social media attacks against her family and protesting a recent march outside her home.