K J Shine files police complaint, Satheeshan admits Congress behind campaign

Kochi: CPI M leader K J Shine has lodged a complaint with the Ernakulam Rural Cyber Police against a malign campaign allegedly orchestrated by the Congress cyber media wing. In her petition, Shine named local Congress leader C K Gopalakrishnan, a close ally of Opposition Leader V D Satheeshan, and pointed to the YouTube channel run by K M Shajahan as a platform spreading misinformation. Several Congress-linked social media handles are under scrutiny. Police have registered an FIR on Shine’s complaint, and cases have been filed against five Congress-linked portals.

The case has been registered under provisions of the IT Act, focusing on the defamation of women through social media. Earlier, Shine had also submitted complaints to the Chief Minister and the DGP, alleging that multiple social media accounts were misusing her photographs to spread false propaganda. Following this, police visited her residence to record her statement, and she handed over evidence of abusive content shared from Congress handles. CPI M’s K N Unnikrishnan has also filed a complaint regarding similar smear campaigns targeting him. His statement will be taken in the coming days.

Shine has alleged that the attacks are a calculated attempt to divert public attention from the allegations against Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who is accused of multiple instances of sexual harassment and forced abortion. “Even if Congress tries, a sexually perverted MLA cannot be rescued from public scrutiny. This campaign against me seems to be their effort to divert attention from the issue,” she said.

Congress behind smear campaign, admits Satheeshan

Opposition Leader V D Satheeshan admitted that Congress linked handles may have been involved in the campaign against Shine and Unnikrishnan. “I can’t say that Congress handles are not doing this. They might have spread the hate campaign. Similar tactics have also been used against Congress leaders,” he told the media.

AIDWA slams cyber attack against K J Shine Meanwhile, the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) State Committee condemned the online attacks against Shine, describing them as a deliberate attempt by Congress to tarnish the political lives of women leaders. AIDWA commended Shine for pursuing legal action and pledged full support in her fight against such misconduct. The organization also noted that women leaders of the Left, including Health Minister Veena George, former Health Minister K K Shailaja, and Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendran, had previously faced similar smear campaigns.

AIDWA stressed that women in politics already face immense challenges in a patriarchal society, and such malicious efforts are aimed at undermining their confidence. The association said these attacks should only be countered through legal means.