Kochi, Sep 7 (PTI) The police in Keralam on Monday registered a case against television journalist Aparna Kurup for allegedly hurting religious sentiments while anchoring a political debate on controversial anti-women remarks by Sunni Islamic scholar Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar.
Journalist Aparna Kurup was booked under Sections 192, 299, 302 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, by the Kochi City Cyber Police on the basis of a complaint filed by Abdul Hakkim, a native of Kasaragod, police said.
These provisions deal with provocation intended to cause rioting, deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings, words or gestures intended to wound religious feelings, and statements likely to promote enmity between different groups, respectively.
The provisions carry punishments ranging from imprisonment of up to six months to three years, or a fine, or both.
She was booked under Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act, 2011, which carries imprisonment of up to one year, a fine of up to Rs 5,000, or both.
According to the FIR, Kurup made certain remarks on the news channel with the intention and knowledge that they would cause a breach of peace, in a manner likely to lead to a riot, and deliberately hurt the religious sentiments of members of a religious community.
The move came after certain leaders of the ruling Congress-led UDF, including Indian Union Muslim League leaders, protested against a case registered against two persons, including a leader of an Islamist organisation, for allegedly threatening Kurup with physical assault following the political debate on Musliyar’s remarks about women appearing in public.
The case was registered against Abdulla Basil CP, a leader of the Wisdom Islamic Organisation, and an unidentified person at the Kochi City Cyber Police Station on Saturday following a complaint by Kurup.
Following the protest by UDF leaders, including IUML MLA P K Firoze, the Home Department directed the police not to proceed with the case, sources said.
BJP national executive member P K Krishnadas criticised the UDF government over the matter, alleging that the growing influence of religious fundamentalist forces in the V D Satheesan-led government was a cause for concern.
He said the alleged pressure being exerted on the CM through Samastha and the Muslim League, along with the public intervention of a ruling-front MLA seeking the withdrawal of the police cases against Basil, raised questions over who was actually exercising control over the state administration.
According to the FIR against Basil, the accused allegedly circulated videos, messages and photographs on social media containing false information about a discussion broadcast by the channel, with the intention of tarnishing Kurup’s reputation and modesty.
The accused allegedly threatened to physically assault her, causing fear and unrest, disturbing public peace and posing a threat to her safety, the FIR said.
According to police, Kurup had made introductory remarks before a discussion in which she criticised Kanthapuram’s remarks that bringing women onto public platforms would lead to “great destruction”.
Following the broadcast, she faced attacks on social media platforms, police said. PTI TGB SSK
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