Case against six media organisations in Kerala for circulating fake news on CPI(M) leader P.K. Sreemathi’s pension
Kannur police have registered a case against six media organizations for allegedly spreading false claims that CPI(M) leader P.K. Sreemathi was receiving a family pension meant for a former legislator. The confusion stemmed from two women sharing the same name, leading to a defamation complaint by the politician.
Why it matters
This case highlights the growing legal challenges surrounding misinformation and digital media accountability in India.
The Kannur Rural Cyber Police have registered a case against six media organisations over the circulation of allegedly false claims that senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader and former MP P.K. Sreemathi was drawing a family pension in the name of a former legislator.
The case was registered on Saturday night based on Ms. Sreemathi’s complaint under Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act, and Section 66 D of the Information Technology Act, the police said on Sunday. The provision related to offences including outraging the modesty of women online, cheating and misuse of electronic communication.
The police said the six accused named in the FIR are Janam TV, Karma News, Daily Hunt, Bharat Live, Janmabhumi daily, and Kannur evening daily Sudhinam. An investigation is under way.
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