Man booked for social media remarks against Aluva MLA

The Ernakulam Rural cybercrime police have booked a 44-year-old man for allegedly making threatening and defamatory comments against Aluva MLA Anwar Sadath. The accused is Joby, a native of Mekkad in Nedumbassery. Joby was earlier arrested and remanded to judicial custody over a robbery case near the Aluva railway station on September 13. After getting bail, he posted a video on social media on October 20 claiming that he was falsely framed in that robbery case. His video came after the MLA spoke to the media and demanded the maximum punishment for the accused in the robbery. Police registered the new case against Joby on charges including criminal defamation, acting on a complaint filed by a local resident of Aluva.

Context

Cybercrime police handle online offenses like online threats and criminal defamation posted on social media platforms. Public representatives often face public criticism and legal protections exist against defamatory or threatening statements made online.