SC protects YouTube channel editor Shajan Skaria from arrest

The Supreme Court on July 10 stayed the arrest of editor and publisher of YouTube channel Marunadan Malayali, Shajan Skaria, in a case registered on a complaint by MLA P.V. Sreenijin under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The Supreme Court on July 10 stayed the arrest of editor and publisher of YouTube channel Marunadan Malayali, Shajan Skaria, in a case registered on a complaint by MLA P.V. Sreenijin under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

“His statements may be defamatory, but these are not offences under the Act. He may have said something against the father-in-law [of the complainant], judiciary, etc, which may be in bad taste,” Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud observed orally.

The apex court’s interim protection came on the appeal filed by Mr. Skaria after the Kerala High Court dismissed his plea for anticipatory bail.

The case was registered on the allegation that Mr. Skaria had intentionally humiliated Mr. Sreenijin by making false allegations and accusations through a video uploaded on his channel.

Senior advocate V. Giri, for Mr. Sreenijin, urged the court to at least go through the transcript of the video.

However, the court said it had gone through the transcript and was doubtful whether Mr. Skaria’s comments amounted to a caste slur.