The Kerala Police have issued a public advisory on the legal consequences of unauthorised filming and privacy violations, following the controversy at the funeral of veteran actor Salim Kumar in North Paravur. Released through the department’s social media channels, the notice made clear that the drive for online views cannot override a private citizen’s constitutional right to privacy, and warned that filming personal tragedies without consent can attract action under cyber law.
The reminder came after criticism of several digital news portals and independent vloggers who pushed past security at the actor’s residence, ‘Laughing Villa.’ The crowding of recording crews in the mourning space led to a tense moment in which Salim Kumar’s son, Chandu Salim Kumar, had to intervene and ask reporters to give the family room. The incident prompted wide debate, with film figures and members of the public calling for clearer limits to protect grieving families.
What the law says
The advisory noted that the right to privacy is a fundamental right under the Constitution, and that bringing cameras into someone’s private life or premises without explicit consent is a serious offence. The department said personal grief, accidents and disasters are increasingly being used by some platforms simply to gain traffic, at the cost of individual dignity.
It pointed specifically to Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, 2000, under which capturing, publishing or transmitting private images of a person without their consent is a cognisable offence. Those found guilty can face imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to ₹2 lakh, or both, depending on the severity.
Monitoring and a note to users
The police said cyber cells had stepped up monitoring of video-sharing platforms to track unauthorised feeds streaming private moments from the Paravur viewing. They reminded news outlets and broadcasters to apply proper editorial checks, noting that a verbal disclaimer does not remove criminal liability if the footage itself breaches someone’s privacy.
The department also cautioned ordinary internet users that posting obscene, defamatory or abusive remarks under news feeds is punishable under existing law. As the community continues to mourn Salim Kumar, the advisory is expected to set an important precedent in how funerals and similar events are covered going forward.
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