In a dramatic turn of events, Kerala Police arrested Marunadan Malayali editor Shajan Skaria—whose online media platform has been critical of the Pinarayi Vijayan government on the night of May 5. Skaria, a vocal critic of the Pinarayi Vijayan’s family-led government, stated that its political vendetta and accused the police of targeting him for exposing corruption and alleged Islamist links within the state’s administration.
According to sources, the police team trailed Skaria from his residence in Erumeli to Thiruvananthapuram, eventually detaining him at his Kudappanakunnu house while he was having dinner with his parents. Skaria claimed he was not even allowed to wear a shirt during the arrest. Following a medical examination, he was produced at a magistrate’s residence, where he was granted bail.
Kerala journalist Shajan Skaria, editor of an online news portal, was arrested by Kerala Police while having dinner. The police didn’t even let him wear his shirt. His only crime? Daring to speak against the Pinarayi govt.
The same CPI(M) that screams about press freedom &… pic.twitter.com/yWD5QNw5OZ
— Anoop Antony Joseph (@AnoopKaippalli) May 6, 2025
The arrest was reportedly made under Sections 75(1) 5 and 79 of the Indian Penal Code, Section 67 of the IT Act, and Section 120 of the Kerala Police Act. The charges stemmed from a complaint by a woman allegedly close to Shihab Shah, Chairman of Armani Clinic, who is accused of defrauding hundreds of Indians through a company called Kensa International. Marunadan Malayali had extensively reported on the scam, which led to Shah’s arrest. Skaria contends the case against him is ‘retaliatory’.
Addressing the media post-release, Skaria alleged that the police acted under the influence of top officials, including the state’s Director General of Police. He accused the government of silencing dissent and using the police force to suppress journalistic freedom. “This is revenge for reporting against the Chief Minister and his daughter,” he said, adding, “I’m going to jail to protect democracy.” Skaria has long accused the Pinarayi government of fostering “family rule,” a reference to the growing political influence of the Chief Minister’s son-in-law and minister, Muhammad Riyas. His outlet has also been vocal in exposing alleged Islamist links and extremist activities in the state.
Protests erupted across the state in response to the arrest, with opposition leaders and civil society groups condemning the action. BJP’s Kerala state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar termed the midnight arrest a “violation of constitutional rights” and evidence of the ruling CPI(M)’s “intolerance towards press freedom.” He accused the government of running a “police raj” in Kerala. The police have also been criticised for allegedly disabling access to the FIR online and seizing Skaria’s phone, raising questions about procedural lapses. This comes despite a 2023 directive from the DGP to strictly adhere to Supreme Court guidelines on arrests and citizen rights.
