'Dragged me in front of parents, didn't even allow a shirt'; Shajan Skaria gets bail hours after arrest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Shajan Skaria, a Kerala-based journalist of an online media portal, was arrested late Monday night amidst dramatic happenings. Shajan was arrested based on a complaint that he defamed and reported news about an NRI businesswoman. However, by midnight, Shajan received bail from the court and was set free by the police.

The arrest was made based on a complaint filed by Mahe native Gaana Vijayan, a businesswoman in the UAE. Shajan was arrested at around 9.30 pm last night from his house in Kudappanakunnu under non-bailable sections.

Shajan, who was scantily clothed at the time of arrest, was forcibly taken to the station without even being allowed the chance to get properly dressed. He was then taken to the general hospital for a medical examination and from there to Additional First Class Judicial Magistrate Shwetha Sasikumar's house. The magistrate, who examined the FIR, granted bail with conditions.

According to the complaint, Shajan, through his online media portal, used defamatory and abusive language against the UAE-based businesswoman. Gaana Vijayan filed a complaint via email to the Chief Minister, DGP and Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner. She even appeared in person at the ACJM court in Vanchiyoor and gave confidential statements.

Cyber ​​police confirmed that Shajan was at his house in Kudappanakunnu at night and reached the house at 9.30 pm. Shajan was having food with his parents when police barged into his house, Drama ensued after Shajan shouted a slogan, “Down with Pinarayism,” while being forced out of his house.

When he was brought to the magistrate's house, the police gave him a shirt, but Shajan refused.

Shajan, while talking with the media after getting bail, said he was being hunted down by Pinarayi and his forces for actively reporting on details about CMRL and the monthly payoff case involving Veena Vijayan.