Post against Sadikali Thangal: Cops registered for extortion bid

Kozhikode: Police have identified the person allegedly behind the defamatory social media post against IUML state president Panakkad Sadikali Shihab Thangal. Perinthalmanna police have registered a case against Muhammed Roshan, a native of Perinthalmanna, against whom Kaapa was invoked earlier following his involvement in multiple criminal cases. The case was registered on the complaint filed by Moeen Ali Shihab Thangal, a member of the Panakkad family. According to the FIR, Roshan allegedly called Moeen Ali Thangal and a friend to a shopping mall in Perinthalmanna and showed fake and unclear images and videos claiming to be that of Sadikali Thangal on his mobile phone on Jan 31. He attempted to blackmail Thangal by demanding Rs 15 crore for not publishing the content on social media. He allegedly issued a death threat if the matter was reported to the police. Later, the accused created a Facebook account under the name ‘Shan Shanu' and posted the derogatory message on March 21. The post was removed on the day itself, and the account was also deleted. Police have registered case against the accused under sections 192, 308 (4) and 351 (4) of the BNS and 66 (D) of the IT Act and 120 (o) of the Kerala Police Act. According to Perinthalmanna police, the accused is absconding and efforts are on to nab him.