Keralam CM warns of action over cyberattacks targeting journalist Jijo John Puthezhath's family

Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Friday warned of stringent legal action against those allegedly targeting senior journalist Jijo John Puthezhath and his family through cyberattacks following his death.

Puthezhath, 54, a special correspondent with Malayalam daily Malayala Manorama, died at a hospital in Kochi on Wednesday following a brief illness. He was known for his investigative reports.

Soon after his death, abusive comments targeting the journalist over some of his earlier news reports appeared on social media platforms.

Following the posts, the Ernakulam Press Club district committee submitted a complaint to the state Home minister, director general of police and Kochi city police commissioner, seeking immediate action against the social media accounts and those behind the posts.

In a Facebook post, Satheesan described the cyberattacks targeting Puthezhath and his family after his unexpected death as "extremely painful".

He said organised attempts to spread hatred and falsehoods through social media against a deceased journalist or any other person were a blot on Keralam's high social culture.

"People spreading hatred through accounts, whether with or without identities, should ask themselves what humanity and human values they stand for," he said.

Satheesan said the matter would become particularly serious if the abusive posts were motivated by political animosity over investigative reports published by Puthezhath in the past.

"Insulting a journalist for discharging his duty and even targeting him after his death out of political animosity is not befitting a democratic society," he said.

The chief minister said the government would treat the issue with utmost seriousness in view of the complaints submitted by the Ernakulam Press Club and Puthezhath's friends.

"Strict legal action will be taken against the culprits without any compromise. Such despicable and cruel cyberattacks will not be tolerated against anyone," he added.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala also directed officials to take stringent action against those involved in the alleged cyberattacks targeting Puthezhath and his family.

In a statement, Chennithala said strict action would be taken against those who circulated defamatory and abusive posts on social media against the journalist and his family.

He said the cyber abuse appeared to have been driven by political animosity over news reports filed by Puthezhath in the past and assured that stringent action would be taken against those responsible.  (with inputs from PTI)