Kerala Police Book Six Media Outlets for False Reports on CPI(M) Leader's Pension

The Kannur Rural Cyber Police have registered a case against six media organisations for allegedly circulating false claims about senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader and former MP P.K. Sreemathi. The complaint, filed by Ms. Sreemathi, alleges that the outlets reported she was drawing a family pension meant for the widow of a former legislator.

According to police officials, the case was registered on Saturday night under Section 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act, and Section 66 D of the Information Technology Act. These provisions relate to offences including outraging the modesty of women online, cheating, and misuse of electronic communication.

The six entities named in the First Information Report (FIR) are Janam TV, Karma News, Daily Hunt, Bharat Live, Janmabhumi daily, and the Kannur evening daily Sudhinam. An investigation is now underway.

The controversy began when several online news platforms, citing purported Right to Information (RTI) documents, alleged that Ms. Sreemathi was receiving a family pension in the name of former Congress MLA P.R. Krishnan. However, the Krishnan family clarified that the pension beneficiary was his widow, who also bears the name P.K. Sreemathi. The mistaken identity arose because the RTI response did not include additional identifying details beyond the name.

P.R. Krishnan represented the Travancore-Cochin Legislative Assembly between 1954 and 1956. The CPI(M) leader has consistently denied receiving any pension in Mr. Krishnan's name and described the campaign as a deliberate attempt to damage her reputation.

After the false reports circulated, Ms. Sreemathi lodged complaints with Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, and State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar, seeking legal action against those responsible. The police have now initiated proceedings.