The courtroom battle between Congress MP Rajmohan Unnithan and KP Sasikala, widely known as Sasikala Teacher, ended with an acquittal as a Kerala court found the defamation charges unproven.
The Judicial Magistrate at Cherthala concluded that Sasikala failed to provide primary evidence—such as recordings of the televised debate where the alleged remarks were made—that could have confirmed her claims under Sections 499 and 500 of the IPC.
At the heart of the case was a fiery 2017 debate show Counter Point on Manorama News. Sasikala alleged that Unnithan branded her a “poisonous creature” and accused her of provoking unrest in Kasargod that cost a child’s life. She said the comments, carried by the channel and its anchor, shattered her reputation and caused mental distress.
But the court pointed out a fatal gap: the absence of broadcast records. Instead, the complainant presented only legal notices and oral testimonies—witnesses who, the court observed, were either politically sympathetic to her or personally close. Even the program’s anchor admitted Unnithan had joined the debate but could not recall any disparaging remarks aimed at Sasikala.
The magistrate stressed that in defamation cases linked to mass media, primary evidence like certified recordings or transcripts is indispensable. Legal notices, the court said, could reflect grievance but not prove defamation.
Without solid proof, the claims stood on shaky ground. The court ruled that the ingredients of criminal defamation were not established and acquitted Unnithan, bringing the years-long case to a close.