Kerala court admits actor’s contempt petition against police officer

The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Ernakulam has admitted actor Ansiba Hassan’s contempt petition against the Station House Officer of Palarivattom police station and issued notice to the Kerala government. The petition was filed on Wednesday, September 30, and the case was posted for October 6. Hassan is seeking an explanation from the officer over the handling of a complaint against actor Lakshmipriya and representatives of CAN Channel.

Hassan alleged that videos containing false and sexually coloured allegations about her were published and circulated on social-media platforms with the intention of outraging her modesty. The court had last week directed Palarivattom police to investigate Hassan’s private complaint. She now argues that the officer acted contrary to that order by booking only Lakshmipriya, and only for criminal defamation.

Hassan has asked the court to direct the police to conduct an investigation in line with its earlier order, include the offences disclosed in her complaint and name all the accused. She also wants the investigation transferred to another officer. The petition asks the court to begin proceedings under Sections 215 and 379 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita against the SHO and conduct any inquiry it considers necessary.

Hassan’s complaint had been forwarded to police under Section 175(3) of the BNSS. She alleges that the videos disclosed offences under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Information Technology Act and the Kerala Police Act. The people she named include Lakshmipriya, Sukumar, the owner of CAN Channel, and Suresh, who interviewed Lakshmipriya.

The supplied material records allegations and procedural developments, not a court finding on the claims.