Thiruvananthapuram: Shajan Skaria, editor and proprietor of the online news portal Marunadan Malayali, was arrested by the Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Police from his residence in Kudappanakunnu. The arrest follows a defamation complaint lodged by a woman from Mahé.

According to police sources, the complaint alleges that Skaria disseminated a defamatory news video containing sexually explicit references, thereby tarnishing the complainant’s reputation. The case has been registered under Section 790 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 120 of the Information Technology Act, both of which are apparently non-bailable offences.

Skaria is currently being held at the Thiruvananthapuram Police Training College in Thycaud for further legal proceedings.

Authorities confirmed that the investigation was launched after the complainant accused the journalist of using digital media to publish malicious content. The arrest has drawn attention to the increasing scrutiny on digital journalism practices and the accountability of online media houses.

Further developments are awaited as legal proceedings unfold.