Latest news with #KochiCyberPolice


Time of India
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Extortion TWIST in Balachandra Menon case; Actress Minu Muneer's lawyer arrested
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) The Kochi Cyber Police have arrested Sangeeth Louis, a lawyer and filmmaker from Kollam in the ongoing extortion case involving actor-filmmaker Balachandra Menon . He is accused of attempting to extort money from Balachandra Menon by allegedly threatening to publicize fabricated allegations. Lawyer held in extortion case against veteran actor As reported by Asianet News, the arrest was made from his residence in Ayyanthole, Thrissur. Sangeeth is the second accused in the case, following the earlier arrest of actress Minu Muneer, who was identified as the prime accused. Social media allegations led to legal showdown The controversy erupted in the wake of the Hema Committee report. It was when Minu Muneer took to social media to level serious allegations of sexual misconduct against Balachandra Menon. 'He Kissed Me Forcefully': Actress Minu Muneer's Bold Claims Against Top Malayalam Actors In response, Balachandra Menon filed a police complaint that accused her of making defamatory and obscene remarks. Minu was subsequently arrested and later released on bail by the High Court. However, the investigation continued which lead to Sangeeth's arrest. According to police, both Minu and Sangeeth were working together as part of a planned effort to intimidate and extort Menon. Adding to the twist, Sangeeth Louis is no stranger to controversy. Reportedly, the police revealed that he has been an accused in multiple cases. Sangeeth was even booked under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). This happened in the year 2023. Despite these claims, Sangeeth insists his intentions were misunderstood. He told police that he merely informed Balachandra Menon about other actresses who were allegedly ready to testify against him. However, cyber police have reportedly recovered key data from both Sangeeth and Minu's phones that suggest coordinated attempts to extract money from the veteran actor. The extortion attempt dates back to September last year, and with Sangeeth now in custody, the case appears to be moving toward a deeper investigation.


United News of India
21-07-2025
- United News of India
Fake Parivahan App: Two nabbed from Varanasi by Kerala Cyber Police
Kochi, July 21 (UNI) A nationwide cyber fraud gang that operated through a fake "Parivahan" mobile application has been arrested by the Kochi Cyber Police from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. The fraudsters tricked victims by sending fake APK files via WhatsApp under the pretext of paying vehicle fines through Parivahan, a digital platform created by the Union Ministry of Transport to provide various transportation-related services to citizens of India. The arrested individuals have been identified as Atul Kumar Singh (32) and Manish Yadav (24), both residents of Uttar Pradesh. The gang collected vehicle information using a Telegram bot. The brain behind the fake application was a 16-year-old relative of Manish Yadav. An Ernakulam native had registered a complaint on the NCRP (National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal) stating that Rs 85,000 was defrauded through a fake Parivahan link. Based on this complaint, Kochi Cyber Police registered an FIR and arrested the accused with the help of digital evidence. The investigation team included Inspector Shameer Khan and police officers Arun, Ajith Raj, Nikhil George, Alfit Andrews, and Sharafudheen. The accused were found in possession of data related to over 2,700 vehicles from Kerala, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. In case of similar online financial frauds, the public is advised to immediately contact the toll-free cybercrime helpline 1930 or report via the official portal: UNI DS RKM


Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Australia revokes Kanye West's visa over Heil Hitler song: ‘We don't need that'
Malayalam actor Minu Muneer was arrested by Kochi Cyber Police following a defamation complaint from filmmaker Balachandra Menon over derogatory social media posts. Muneer, who was released on bail, had previously accused several industry figures, including actor Mukesh, of sexual misconduct. Her allegations have sparked controversy in the Malayalam film industry, leading to significant discussions within the community.


India Gazette
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
Malayalam actor Minu Muneer arrested by Kochi Cyber Police over defamation complaint, later granted bail
Kochi (Kerala) [India], July 2 (ANI): Malayalam actor Minu Muneer was arrested by the Kochi Cyber Police following a defamation complaint filed by veteran filmmaker and actor Balachandra Menon. The arrest stems from allegations Muneer made on social media, which Menon claimed were defamatory in nature. She was released on bail shortly after being taken into custody. The Kerala High Court had earlier dismissed her anticipatory bail plea. She is the first accused in the case, which was registered in 2024. She reportedly made repeated derogatory posts about him on social media. Minu Muneer also filed a complaint against actor and MLA M Mukesh, who represents the Kollam Assembly constituency and is a leader of the CPI(M). Meanwhile, the arrest marks a new development in a controversy that has roiled the Malayalam film industry in recent months. In a series of social media posts and subsequent interviews, Muneer had publicly accused several prominent industry figures of sexual misconduct and abuse during their professional collaborations. In August last year, Muneer named actors Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu, alleging both verbal and physical harassment. She also mentioned Advocate Chandrasekharan, production controller Noble, and an individual named Vichu. 'I am writing to report a series of incidents of physical and verbal abuse I suffered at the hands of Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu, Jayasoorya, Advocate Chandrasekharan, production controller Noble and Vichu, in the Malayalam film industry,' she wrote, claiming the incidents forced her to leave the Malayalam film industry and shift to Chennai. In a detailed account given to ANI, Muneer expanded on her allegations. 'Once, as I was coming out from the toilet, Jayasurya hugged me from behind and even kissed me forcefully... After that, Idavela Babu expressed his interest in a sexual relationship with me,' she said. She also accused actor-producer Maniyanpilla Raju of making inappropriate suggestions about her hotel stay during a film shoot, describing his behaviour as 'unprofessional and unsettling.' The incidents she referred to reportedly date back to 2013. The allegations surfaced in the wake of growing dissent within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), following unrelated controversies that led to the resignations of director Ranjith and actor Siddique from their posts in the organisation. (ANI)


Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Malayalam actor Minu Muneer arrested, released on bail after actor-director Balachandra Menon accuses her of defamation
Malayalam actor Minu Muneer was arrested by the Kochi Cyber Police following a defamation complaint filed by veteran filmmaker and actor Balachandra Menon. The arrest stems from allegations Muneer made on social media, which Menon claimed were defamatory in nature. She was released on bail shortly after being taken into custody. Balachandra Menon filed a complaint on Minu Muneer for defamation. The Kerala High Court had earlier dismissed her anticipatory bail plea. She is the first accused in the case, which was registered in 2024. She reportedly made repeated derogatory posts about him on social media. Minu Muneer also filed a complaint against actor and MLA M Mukesh, who represents the Kollam Assembly constituency and is a leader of the CPI(M). Meanwhile, the arrest marks a new development in a controversy that has roiled the Malayalam film industry in recent months. In a series of social media posts and subsequent interviews, Muneer had publicly accused several prominent industry figures of sexual misconduct and abuse during their professional collaborations. In August last year, Muneer named actors Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu, alleging both verbal and physical harassment. She also mentioned Advocate Chandrasekharan, production controller Noble, and an individual named Vichu. "I am writing to report a series of incidents of physical and verbal abuse I suffered at the hands of Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Idavela Babu, Jayasoorya, Advocate Chandrasekharan, production controller Noble and Vichu, in the Malayalam film industry," she wrote, claiming the incidents forced her to leave the Malayalam film industry and shift to Chennai. In a detailed account given to ANI, Muneer expanded on her allegations. "Once, as I was coming out from the toilet, Jayasurya hugged me from behind and even kissed me forcefully... After that, Idavela Babu expressed his interest in a sexual relationship with me," she said. She also accused actor-producer Maniyanpilla Raju of making inappropriate suggestions about her hotel stay during a film shoot, describing his behaviour as "unprofessional and unsettling." The incidents she referred to reportedly date back to 2013. The allegations surfaced in the wake of growing dissent within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), following unrelated controversies that led to the resignations of director Ranjith and actor Siddique from their posts in the organisation.