Thiruvananthapuram, November 27, 2025 – Kerala police have registered a case against a self-styled nun, Teena Jose, after she allegedly made a comment on social media calling for a bomb attack on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The incident, which has raised concerns over online threats against public figures, reportedly took place last week in the comment section of a Facebook post related to the chief minister’s participation in a local body election campaign.

According to officials, the case was filed at the Thiruvananthapuram City Cyber Police Station on Wednesday following a complaint lodged by a lawyer based in New Delhi. The police have invoked sections 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, citing the gravity of the threat. Authorities are currently attempting to trace the original Facebook comment, and Jose is expected to be interrogated soon as part of the investigation.

The controversy arose after a Facebook user named Selton L D’Souza shared a post regarding the chief minister’s campaigning activities for local body elections. In the comment section of this post, Jose allegedly suggested that a bomb attack could be carried out against the chief minister. She reportedly added a reference to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, asserting that the world that killed him could similarly target other leaders. The alleged comment sparked immediate concern, prompting a formal complaint to the police.

Following the incident, the religious congregation to which Jose had once belonged issued a statement clarifying her status. According to the release, Jose’s membership had been revoked in 2009, and she had been formally forbidden from wearing the congregation’s religious attire. The statement emphasized that Jose’s actions were entirely her personal decision and responsibility, and the religious institution had no connection with her recent social media activity.

Teena Jose, a resident of Kochi, has a legal background, having completed her studies in law. She had previously challenged regulations that prevent individuals engaged in religious vocations from practising law, approaching both the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court to gain enrollment as an advocate. Following the legal proceedings, she was officially enrolled as an advocate, independent of her religious affiliation.

The police have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that steps are being taken to ascertain the context and intent of the social media comment. Cybercrime authorities are reviewing the digital footprint of the post, including IP addresses, timestamps, and any possible associations with other users who may have shared or amplified the comment.

Officials have also cautioned that threats against public figures, even when expressed online, are taken extremely seriously under Indian law. The case serves as a reminder of the legal implications of making statements that could be interpreted as incitement to violence or intimidation, especially in a digital environment where messages can quickly spread and cause widespread concern.

The incident has drawn attention to broader debates on freedom of speech and social media regulation in India. While citizens have the right to express opinions online, experts note that the law explicitly prohibits threats, intimidation, and calls for violence, which are prosecutable offenses under both the Indian Penal Code and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Local authorities in Kerala have reiterated that they are committed to ensuring the safety of public officials and maintaining law and order. Police sources indicated that depending on the outcome of the investigation, additional legal provisions could be invoked if further evidence of intent or planning of violence emerges.

Social media platforms, including Facebook, have protocols for reporting threats, and cybercrime divisions often collaborate with these companies to trace and preserve digital evidence. In Jose’s case, the police are working to secure the original post and comments, which could form critical evidence in court proceedings.

Observers note that while the individual involved had severed ties with her religious order many years ago, her profile as a self-styled nun adds a unique dimension to the case, potentially influencing public perception and media coverage. Legal experts suggest that the interplay between personal beliefs, social media activity, and public safety concernsmakes this case particularly sensitive.

Kerala has witnessed several instances in the past where public figures, including politicians, have been targeted with threats online. Law enforcement agencies have increasingly focused on proactive monitoring of social media platformsto prevent escalation and ensure timely intervention. Cybercrime units stress that online threats, regardless of whether they are intended seriously or made in jest, can attract criminal liability under Indian law.

As the investigation continues, authorities are likely to summon Jose for questioning to clarify her intentions and motivations behind the alleged comment. The police may also seek digital records from Facebook to determine whether the comment was posted by her directly or through a third-party account. The case could lead to formal charges and legal proceedings if the threat is found to meet the statutory definitions of criminal intimidation or provocation.

This development highlights the growing intersection of social media activity, legal accountability, and public safetyin India. With more individuals using digital platforms to express opinions, legal frameworks are being increasingly tested to balance freedom of expression with the need to protect individuals, particularly elected officials, from harm or intimidation.

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