Kochi, Sep 22 (NationPress) On Monday, the Kerala Police carried out a search at the residence of Congress leader C.K. Gopalakrishnan in connection with a cyber-abuse case initiated by CPI-M woman leader K.J. Shine.

Shine, a prominent figure in the party from the Ernakulam district, was a candidate in the recent Ernakulam Lok Sabha elections in 2024, which was won by Congress’s Hibi Eden.

An FIR has been filed based on Shine’s allegations, claiming she faced humiliation in a case devoid of any factual basis, severely impacting her dignity.

Among those named in the FIR are Gopalakrishnan, a former close aide to the legendary CPI-M chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan, and K.M. Shahjahan.

During the raid, authorities confiscated a mobile phone believed to be used for posting derogatory remarks about Shine on social media.

The police have stated that technical investigations will verify whether this device was indeed responsible for the offensive posts.

At the time of the search, Gopalakrishnan was not at home, leading police to suspect that he may be evading capture.

He is anticipated to receive a notice shortly, requiring his presence for questioning regarding the matter.

The inquiry stems from Shine's complaint, and the investigative team has sought help from Meta to trace the origins of the posts, aiming to accelerate the investigation into the cyber harassment.

Authorities have indicated that further actions, including potential arrests, will be contingent upon the findings from Meta.

This report is crucial for determining whether the accounts used for posting the derogatory content were operated by the accused.

The case additionally involves cyber-attacks against CPI-M MLA K.N. Unnikrishnan, illustrating the wider implications of this investigation.

Authorities are currently scrutinizing over 100 social media accounts associated with the offensive posts and may add more individuals to the list of accused as the investigation evolves.

The police have underscored the importance of the Meta report in advancing legal proceedings and ensuring accountability for online harassment.

Complaints from other CPI-M leaders have highlighted the gravity of the situation, prompting rapid action from the investigative team.

The police have assured that the investigation will be thorough, aiming to identify all responsible individuals and enforce appropriate legal measures.

This case underscores the increasing concern over the misuse of social media for targeted harassment of political figures in Kerala.

Shahjahan has stated his intention to defend himself against the charges in the appropriate legal setting.