Police register case against actor Vinayakan over alleged Facebook post involving minor
Malayalam actor Vinayakan is facing a police case after the Mavelikkara Police in Kerala's Alappuzha district registered an FIR over allegations that he shared a minor girl's photograph on social media without consent. The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology Act and the Kerala Police Act.
The case was registered on Wednesday after the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights directed the police to act on a complaint filed by the girl's father. Officials said the investigation has commenced and the actor's statement will be recorded as part of the probe.
Complaint filed after Child Rights Commission intervention
According to police, the complainant, a resident under the Mavelikkara police station limits who is employed in Mumbai, approached the Child Rights Commission alleging that his eight-year-old daughter's photograph had been published on Facebook without his consent.
The commission reportedly examined the complaint during a sitting in Alappuzha before directing the Mavelikkara Police to register an FIR and initiate appropriate legal action.
FIR details alleged Facebook post
According to the FIR, the incident dates back to July 23, 2025, when the complainant forwarded a Facebook post critical of Vinayakan to the actor via WhatsApp.
The FIR states, "Out of enmity over forwarding the said Facebook post, Vinayakan took a screenshot of the WhatsApp message sent by the complainant at around 2 am on July 24, 2025. Along with it, he also took a screenshot of the complainant's WhatsApp profile photo, which featured his eight-year-old daughter. Vinayakan then circulated these screenshots, along with the complainant's mobile phone number, through his verified Facebook account without the complainant's permission,"
Police alleged that the Facebook post also contained remarks that insulted the complainant, while the inclusion of his contact number allegedly exposed him to harassment.
Family alleges harassment following the post
The FIR further alleges that the Facebook post was widely circulated by unidentified individuals, resulting in abusive comments and repeated phone calls to the complainant.
According to the FIR, "Believing it to be Vinayakan's mobile phone number after seeing it on his Facebook post, several individuals called the complainant on his mobile phone and verbally abused him. This caused significant defamation, mental agony and distress to the complainant, his daughter and his family,"
The complainant alleged that the online post subjected his family to emotional distress, prompting him to seek legal intervention through the Child Rights Commission.
Charges invoked and investigation underway
Police said the case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to defamation and offences involving intrusion intended to insult the modesty of a woman or invade her privacy. Relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and the Kerala Police Act have also been invoked.
Authorities said the investigation is under way and further action will be taken in accordance with the law. No additional developments have been announced so far.
Actor has faced controversies in the past
This is not the first time Vinayakan has faced legal and public scrutiny. The actor has previously been involved in multiple controversies, including cases related to alleged defamation, public nuisance and contentious social media activity. He had also drawn criticism in the past over remarks made about late former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
On the work front, Vinayakan is gearing up for the release of ‘Jailer 2’, starring Rajinikanth in the lead and directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. He was recently seen in the film's teaser glimpse shared by the makers.