Man held for ‘extortion’ bid targeting IUML leader’s relative

Malappuram: A man was arrested for allegedly trying to extort money from a relative of IUML state president Syed Sadikkali Shihab Thangal by threatening to spread defamatory images of the leader online in Perinthalmanna, police said on Monday.

The accused Muhammad Roshan was detained in Angadipuram on Sunday night.

Police said Roshan has been absconding since the case was registered against him last week.

According to police, the case was registered on March 25 following a complaint by Moeen Ali Shihab Thangal, a relative of the IUML leader.

The complainant alleged that Roshan met him at a shopping mall in Perinthalmanna on January 31 and showed him objectionable images allegedly of the Indian Union Muslim League leader.

According to the FIR, the accused demanded Rs 15 million and threatened to spread the images on social media if the money was not paid.
The FIR also alleged that he made death threats if the matter was reported to the police. Police also said fake images aimed at defaming Thangal were doing the rounds on Facebook last week in connection with Malappuram Cyber ​​Police registering a separate case.

Roshan has been interrogated and his mobile phone will be sent for forensic analysis, officials said.