The Kerala High Court has directed the police to provide protection to journalist Aparna Kurup of Malayalam news channel Big TV after she allegedly received rape and death threats following a televised discussion on controversial remarks made by Sunni scholar Kanthapuram AP Aboobacker Musaliar.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas ordered the Station House Officer of the Ernakulam Town South Police Station to ensure adequate security for Kurup and her residential apartment.
The Court also directed the police to maintain law and order in the vicinity of her residence and prevent any obstruction or interference by others.
The dispute traces back to remarks made by Kanthapuram at a meeting in Kochi, where he supported a circular issued by the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama concerning women sharing public platforms with unrelated men. His comments triggered a public debate.
Kurup subsequently anchored a programme titled Big Dialogue on Big TV to discuss the remarks. According to her plea, the programme was part of a journalistic discussion and was conducted as an exercise of her freedom of speech and expression, without any intention of offending religious sentiments.
She alleged that the broadcast was followed by an organised online campaign targeting her. Her plea before the High Court stated that she was subjected to obscene abuse and threats of rape, murder and physical assault through social media.
Kurup further alleged that her photograph and residential address were circulated online, with some posts calling for protests outside her home.
A complaint lodged by her resulted in a case being registered by the Kochi Cyber Crime Police Station on September 5. She told the High Court that the threats had continued despite the registration of the case.
Apart from seeking immediate protection, Kurup has requested effective investigation into the cybercrime complaint and an assessment of the threat level she faces.
The High Court’s protection order is an interim measure. The matter has been posted for further consideration on October 26, 2026.
The petition was filed through advocates Mansoor BH and Sakeena Beegum.
