The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim protection to Kerala-based journalist Nandakumar T.P., who faces criminal charges for allegedly uploading a defamatory video targeting a prominent woman politician on his YouTube channel, Crime Online.
A vacation bench comprising Justices Sandeep Mehta and Prasanna B. Varale issued notice to the Kerala government and the concerned station house officer on Nandakumar’s anticipatory bail plea. The bench directed that, in the event of arrest, the journalist shall be released on bail by the trial court on furnishing a bond and sureties, as prescribed by the judge.
The top court further instructed the journalist to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
Nandakumar has been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for alleged offences including outraging the modesty of a woman, criminal intimidation, and intentional insult to provoke breach of peace. In addition, Section 67 of the Information Technology Act has been invoked against him for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form.
According to the Kerala police, the controversial video contained sexually coloured, derogatory, and threatening remarks aimed at defaming and humiliating the political leader.
Earlier, on June 9, the Kerala High Court had denied Nandakumar anticipatory bail and directed him to surrender before the investigating authorities. Challenging that order, the journalist moved the Supreme Court, which has now posted the matter for further hearing after six weeks.
