Transgender make-up artist and social media influencer Jaanmoni Das was arrested on Thursday for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his family, police said.
Kozhikode Cyber Police summoned Das and two others who had shared the video containing the alleged remarks on social media and arrested them, officials said.
After completing procedures, including evidence collection and interrogation, the three were released on bail.
The case was registered following a complaint filed by BJP Mahila Morcha state president Navya Haridas on July 27.
According to police, Das allegedly made the remarks in connection with protests over the NEET question paper leak. A video containing the remarks was widely circulated on social media.
After the remarks triggered controversy, Das posted a video apologising and said they were made due to a lack of knowledge of the language.
The case was registered under Sections 192 (provocation for causing riot) and 356(2) (criminal defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 120(o) (causing nuisance) of the Kerala Police Act.
Police said the offences charged against the accused are bailable.
Das came into the limelight after participating in a popular Malayalam reality show a few years ago.
Speaking to reporters after leaving the police station, Das said she had provided investigators with all the information they had sought.
Das alleged that the case was an act of revenge for her participation in the Cockroach Janata Party’s protest in New Delhi over the NEET question paper leak.
She said that in the controversial video, she had only translated into another language what another person had said in Hindi.
“That was not my statement. I just translated what another person said. It shouldn’t have come from my mouth, and I have apologised for it. But still, people are targeting and bullying me,” Das said.
Das said she was not a politician and had travelled to New Delhi to participate in the protest after several students from Keralam also took part in it.
– Ends
Published On:
Aug 20, 2026 22:33 IST
