Kalamassery Blast: Woman Vlogger Arrested For Controversial Social Media Post

The vlogger Lasitha Palakkal was already known for posting inflammatory content online.

A right-wing vlogger was booked for allegedly spreading 'hate' via social media in connection with the recent blast at a religious gathering in Kochi last week, police said on Wednesday. The vlogger was already known for her alleged inflammatory posts and remarks on social media platforms. However, the police claimed that the offensive campaign was purportedly intended to associate the blast with People's Democratic Party (PDP) chairman Abdul Nasar Madani.

A case has been filed by the Thrikkakkara police against Lasitha Palakkal, the vlogger, and another individual, R Sreeraj, for their purported defamatory posts on social media targeting Madani, a key suspect in the Coimbatore blast incident.

On Tuesday, a case was registered based on the complaint of a PDP office-bearer, a police officer said.

The two persons were booked under IPC Section 153A and relevant sections of the Kerala Police Act. IPC 153A refers to promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to the maintenance of harmony.

On October 29, a series of explosions occurred at an international convention center in Kalamassery, near the port city of Kerala, resulting in the tragic deaths of four individuals and injuring over 50 others. The attendees had convened for the concluding day of a three-day prayer gathering hosted by the followers of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Subsequently, a man asserting to be a disassociated member of Jehovah's Witnesses surrendered to the police in Thrissur district a few hours following the incident, confessing to orchestrating the multiple blasts. Law enforcement officials subsequently took him into custody.

Expressing strong disapproval, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the appalling incident and cautioned of severe consequences for those attempting to sow communal discord in society through their remarks and social media engagements.