Manhunt on for man accused of attempt to defame and extort Indian Union Muslim League Kerala president Thangal

The alleged attempt to defame Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal has taken a serious turn, with the police uncovering an extortion bid linked to the case.

The police have intensified the search for one Mohammed Roshan, a native of Perinthalmanna in Malappuram district of Kerala, in connection with the incident.

According to the police, a fake social media post circulated about a week ago to defame Mr. Thangal was part of a larger plan. The police said the post followed an earlier attempt to extort money using some doctored visuals of the IUML leader.

Mr. Roshan is accused of approaching Mr. Thangal’s nephew, Syed Mueenali Shihab Thangal, in January and demanding ₹15 crore to withhold allegedly sensitive visuals. The police said he is absconding and is believed to have left the district.

The case was registered after Mr. Mueenali Thangal filed a complaint with the District Police Chief. The police said they have collected evidence linking Mr. Roshan to the extortion and vilification attempts. In his complaint, Mr. Mueenali Thangal said the accused first demanded money and later issued threats to his life.

The police said that when the threats were ignored, Mr. Roshan allegedly posted a morphed photograph to defame Mr. Thangal using a fake Facebook account named Shan Shanu. The post was deleted the same day after IUML national general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty raised the issue.

The police said they were examining if more people were involved. Further details could be unveiled only when Mr. Roshan is arrested and questioned, said the police.

A case has been registered against him under Sections 192 (fabricating false evidence), 308(4) (extortion involving threats of serious harm), and 351(4) (aggravated criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 66(D) of the IT Act for cyber fraud and Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act for obstructing a police investigation.

The police said the case, initially seen as a social media defamation issue, now involves a larger and more serious extortion attempt.