The Kerala High Court has upheld the criminal trial of a bank employee accused of threatening to kill Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Learn about the key legal findings and implications of this high-profile case.

Background of the CM Threat Case

In a case dating back to 2021, the Kerala High Court refused to quash criminal proceedings against Abjijith M (a bank employee from Kollam), who allegedly sent a threatening message targeting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

The message—sent shortly after the Left Democratic Front (LDF)’s victory in the 2021 Kerala Legislative Assembly election—was reportedly delivered to the CM’s Additional Private Secretary and stated:

“I will kill Pinarayi Vijayan.”

FIR and Legal Charges

An FIR was registered under the following provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Kerala Police Act:

• Section 153 IPC – Provocation with intent to cause riots

• Section 506(i) IPC – Criminal intimidation

• Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act – Sending nuisance messages

Kerala High Court’s Judgment and Key Observations

Justice PV Kunhikrishnan, presiding over the case, emphasized that threats to constitutional authorities cannot be dismissed lightly.

“Even if sent as a joke or in an emotional state, such a message has serious legal implications,” the Court observed.

He further stated that, in the digital age, it has become fashionable to post disparaging or threatening content about public officials—including Chief Ministers, the Prime Minister, and judges—on platforms like social media for attention.

The Court criticized this trend, noting it wastes the time and resources of the police force, which must investigate the seriousness of each threat.

No Relief for the Accused

After his plea was rejected by a judicial magistrate court in 2023, Abjijith M sought relief through a revision petition to the Kerala High Court. However, the Court dismissed the plea, confirming that:

• A prima facie case had been established

• The abusive and intimidating tone of the message could not be ignored

• As a bank employee with an education, the accused should have known the consequences

Implications for Social Media Conduct and Legal Accountability

This ruling sends a strong message that online threats against constitutional authorities—even if claimed as jokes—are legally actionable. The judgment reflects increasing concern over the misuse of digital platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter (X) for attention-seeking or harmful purposes.

Importantly, it reinforces that freedom of speech under the Indian Constitution does not extend to threats or criminal intimidation.

Conclusion

The Kerala High Court’s decision to proceed with the trial of a man accused of threatening to kill Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan highlights the legal risks of abusing digital communication tools. This case serves as a reminder that irresponsible social media behavior can have serious legal consequences.