More trouble for TV channel chief over documents on Keralam CM’s ‘second marriage’

Shajan Scaria, the chief editor of the Marunadan Malayali news portal, is facing a new police investigation over allegations of forgery and promoting communal disharmony. The Thrikkakara police registered the case based on a complaint filed by Lubaib, an expatriate businessman, accusing Scaria of fabricating a document to support a story about Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan.

The Alleged Forgery

The complaint centers on a BSNL telephone bill that Scaria allegedly forged. This fabricated document was purportedly used on his YouTube channel to lend authenticity to a story detailing a lengthy phone conversation between gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh and a middleman, Shaj Kiran. The discussion reportedly included defamatory claims about the personal life of Chief Minister Vijayan, specifically referencing a “second marriage.”

Serious Criminal Charges

Authorities have charged Scaria under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). These include Section 153 A for promoting enmity between different groups, a serious offense related to communal strife. He also faces charges under Section 465 for forgery, Section 469 for forgery intended to harm a person's reputation, and Section 471 for using a forged document as genuine. This combination of charges indicates the gravity of the allegations, moving beyond defamation into criminal fabrication and public incitement.

Mounting Legal Pressure

This case adds to the significant legal challenges confronting the editor. Scaria is reportedly on the run after the Kerala High Court denied him anticipatory bail in a separate case. That earlier complaint, filed by MLA P V Sreenijin, accuses Scaria of disseminating false and derogatory news with casteist undertones. In connection with that case, police have already conducted raids on Scaria’s office and the residences of his employees, signaling an intensifying effort by law enforcement to locate him.

Future Outlook

With multiple criminal cases active and a warrant for his arrest pending, Shajan Scaria’s legal situation has become precarious. The latest charges of forgery and promoting communal enmity significantly raise the stakes. The outcome of these police investigations and subsequent court proceedings will be critical in determining not only his personal fate but also the future operational viability of his news portal. The case underscores the severe legal risks journalists face when accused of fabricating evidence to support their reporting.