Endorsing abusive postings on social media to invite trouble

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Beware social media users about what you endorse. Not only those posting defaming contents on social media against candidates in the Lok Sabha polls will be running into trouble but those sharing such status are also bound to face legal consequences.

This has been made clear by the authorities while considering a complaint lodged by Union minister and Congress candidate Kodiukunnil Suresh seeking action against defamatory postings on social media against him.

Suresh, seeking re-election from Mavelikkara seat, alleged that fake and morphed pictures casting him in poor light had been appearing in social media with political intentions.

Alappuzha district collector N Padmakumar, who looked into the complaint, said not only those who made the postings but those who shared them would also be liable to face legal action.

Police had been asked to register a case and investigate Suresh's complaint, official sources said.

Meanwhile, senior CPM leader M Vijayakumar ran into trouble for allegedly making abusive comments against Union minister Shashi Tharoor here.

Tharoor, who filed nomination from Thiruvananthapuram LS seat, said the comments of Vijayakumar involved breach of election code of conduct and he would be lodging a complaint with the Election Commission.