Case against DYFI leader, TV journalist for 'defaming’ Keralam Deputy Speaker by linking her to Nedumbassery accident probe

A case was registered against a DYFI leader and a television journalist for allegedly defaming Keralam Assembly Deputy Speaker Shanimol Osman by linking her to the investigation into the Nedumbassery accident that killed three young persons, officials said on Saturday.

Alappuzha South police registered the case on Friday night on a complaint lodged by Ms. Usman against James Samuel, DYFI Alappuzha district secretary, and the journalist, they said.

According to the FIR, Mr. Samuel, during a protest march to the District Collectorate on October 15, allegedly accused the sole woman public representative from Alappuzha district of intervening to help the accused in the accident case, providing protection to him and attempting to hush up the investigation after accepting lakhs of rupees.

The journalist was named as an accused for allegedly broadcasting the remarks made by the DYFI leader, police said.

The case was registered under Sections 356(2) and 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), pertaining to criminal defamation and provocation with the intent or knowledge that it may cause a riot, respectively.

Police said summons would be issued to the accused to appear for questioning.

The case relates to an accident in the early hours of October 11, when a luxury car allegedly driven by Suhail (19) rammed a scooter carrying the three, including two women, all aged around 21.

All three died in the accident.

Police said that the father of the prime accused is from Alappuzha, which is why Mr. Samuel linked the Congress leaders to him.

Mr. Samuel had alleged that Congress leader A A Shukoor and a woman public representative from Alappuzha district intervened to influence the investigation and hush up the case.