Malayalam actor Shiyas Kareem faces cheating charges

Police sources said the complainant, who was abroad, had come into contact with the accused through social media some time ago, and the two later entered into a business partnership

Kochi: Actor and reality show star Shiyas Kareem has been booked on charges of cheating, outraging the modesty of a woman and criminal intimidation, based on a complaint lodged by his woman business partner, police said on Tuesday.

According to the complaint, Kareem allegedly cheated the woman of lakhs of rupees after promising her a partnership in a new business venture.

The complainant further alleged that he failed to honour the agreement after receiving the money.

When she demanded that he return the amount, Kareem allegedly threatened her, the complaint alleged.

Police sources said the complainant, who was abroad, had come into contact with the accused through social media some time ago, and the two later entered into a business partnership.

“A detailed probe will be carried out and he will be interrogated soon,” a police officer said.

Based on the complaint, a case has been registered under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), pertaining to cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.

Charges under BNS Section 79 (insulting the modesty of a woman) and Section 351(2) (criminal intimidation) have also been invoked, police added.