Thiruvananthapuram | A case has been registered over an allegedly defamatory Facebook post targeting CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP A A Rahim, police said on Monday.

The Thiruvananthapuram Cyber Police booked the case following a complaint filed by the CPI(M) leader last week, they said.

According to police, the case has been registered against the users of Facebook accounts named 'Sreekanth Palickathode' and 'Riyas Thathoth'.

Police said Rahim alleged that a fake social media post carrying his photograph was created and circulated, falsely claiming that persons arrested as part of Operation Toofan, the state's anti-narcotics drive, were members of CPI(M)-affiliated organisations SFI and DYFI.

The complainant alleged that the fabricated post was widely circulated through social media platforms with the intention of defaming him.

A case has been registered under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Information Technology Act and the Kerala Police Act, police said.

Officials said a detailed investigation has been launched and steps have been taken to ascertain the identities of the Facebook account holders.