BJP Leader PC George Remanded To 14-Day Custody In Hate Speech Case

On Friday (February 21), the Kerala High Court had dismissed PC George's anticipatory bail plea. 

Crime was registered against him alleging commission of offences punishable under section 196(1)(a) (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion etc), and 299 (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the BNS, Section 120 (o) (penalty for causing nuisance and violation of public order) Kerala Police Act.

While denying anticipatory bail, Justice PV Kunhikrishnan observed in the bail order that the tendency of politicians to a make statements on religion and caste should be stopped. The Court further stated that a politician like PC George who has over 30 years of experience do not deserve to continue as a political leader if he gets provoked so easily.

Rejecting the anticipatory bail, Court said , "I am forced to say that, a politician like the petitioner, who has about 30 years of experience as an MLA can be provoked easily like this, he does not deserve to continue as a political leader. "

The Court rejected PC George's bail on finding that he has been repeatedly making communal statements against the Muslim community.

While referring to a speech made by PC George in 2022, the Court had observed in the bail order, “I extracted the Malayalam portion of the FIR itself, just to show the way in which a politician is making a speech at public functions in a country like India, even though it is a conference of the Hindu community!”

The Court had noted that even in 2022, the High Court had directed PC George to refrain from making such communal statements. The Court while rejecting the bail said he has been openly violating orders of the Court by making statements promoting communal disharmony and that it cannot be ignored.