Kerala police on Saturday arrested Shajan Scaria, the editor of a YouTube news channel named Marunadan Malayalee, in connection with an forgery and counterfeit case filed against him at Thrikkakara police station in Ernakulam district.
The case pertains to allegedly submitting a fake BSNL bill as address proof while registering his media house with the Registrar of Companies, PTI news agency reported.
Scaria was arrested from Nilambur police station where he appeared on Saturday morning before the investigation officer in another case in connection with inciting religious hatred through his YouTube channel – Marunadan Malayalee. He appeared before the Nilambur police after the Kerala High Court had recently directed him to cooperate with the investigation in the case.
Scaria had secured an anticipatory bail in that case and the High Court had warned to cancel the bail if he failed to appear before the Nilambur police today, PTI reported.
On Saturday, Nilambur police recorded his arrest and gave him bail based on the high court order. However, the Thrikkakara police soon arrested him and took him to Kochi.
Scaria and his media organization have faced accusations of promoting Islamophobia and casteism in the news programs. He has also been frequently criticised for disseminating fake news and publishing content that infringes upon personal privacy.
The Kerala High Court had previously made strong remarks about the online news channel’s style of functioning.
Multiple cases have been lodged against the YouTube channel ‘Marunadan Malayalee’ and its editor Scaria across Kerala in various matters.
He is being probed by Kerala Police in multiple cases including an SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by an MLA belonging to the ruling Left front.
