Kerala Police File Case Against YouTuber KM Shajahan Over Sabarimala Gold Theft Allegations

Thiruvananthapuram:

Kerala Police have filed a case against YouTuber KM Shajahan, who previously served as additional private secretary to the late former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, for allegedly insulting ADGP S Sreejith and claiming police involvement in the Sabarimala gold theft case.

The case was registered following a formal complaint submitted by ADGP S. Sreejith himself.

According to the official FIR, Shajahan reportedly distributed videos through his YouTube channel 'Prathipaksham' that were designed to defame Sabarimala Chief Police Coordinator S Sreejith and the police force. The complaint indicates that the content could potentially provoke resentment towards law enforcement among Sabarimala devotees and incite religious hostility between communities, possibly leading to unrest.

The FIR also states that Shajahan made unsubstantiated allegations in his video, suggesting that ADGP S. Sreejith and police personnel were involved in the Sabarimala gold theft incident.

Authorities have charged 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), along with Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act, which addresses creating nuisance through repeated or undesirable anonymous messages via communication channels.

Meanwhile, as investigations into the Sabarimala gold theft continue, officials announced on Sunday that the pilgrim situation at Sabrimala remains fully under control, with plans to increase virtual queue slot availability.

Travancore Devaswom Board President K Jayakumar stated, "The crowd situation at Sabarimala is completely under control. Despite today being Sunday, the anticipated rush did not materialize. Devotees are fully cooperating with the arrangements. Spot booking will be regulated according to daily conditions, and we are considering increasing virtual queue slot numbers."

In related developments, former Travancore Devaswom Board President A Padmakumar has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody in connection with the case, while primary suspect Unnikrishnan Potti was reportedly taken into custody by the Special Investigation Team on October 17.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)