BJP leader PC George was remanded to judicial custody in Kottayam for a hate speech case after surrendering to the Erattupetta Munsif Magistrate Court. His bail application was rejected, following police questioning and the court’s adjournment for further consideration. George’s lawyer argued that he did not incite religious hatred, while the prosecution cited his previous violations of bail conditions. The case stems from allegations by a Muslim Youth League leader that George’s remarks during a TV discussion aimed at a minority community incited religious hatred. His anticipatory bail plea was denied by the Kerala High Court.
Kottayam:
A court in this district has placed BJP leader PC George in judicial custody on Monday regarding a hate speech case, following a police custody period until 6 pm that same day.
The Erattupetta Munsif Magistrate Court denied PC George’s bail application earlier in the day.
According to police sources, senior police officials interrogated Mr. George before he was remanded to jail.
Mr. George, a former MLA, appeared before the Erattupetta Munsif Magistrate Court at approximately 11.05 am. The case was reviewed at 12.30 pm, followed by arguments from both parties.
After considering the arguments, the court postponed the case for further deliberation at 2 pm.
Mr. George’s attorney argued that he did not “incite religious hatred or offend religious sentiments,” claiming that custodial interrogation or additional evidence gathering was unnecessary.
Conversely, the prosecution outlined Mr. George’s prior legal issues, asserting that he had breached bail terms and needed to be questioned in custody.
They argued that his statements were made in a way that offended “religious sentiments.”
When the case resumed after 2 pm, the court denied Mr. George’s bail request, as stated by the complainant’s attorney.
Subsequently, he was transported to Kottayam Government Medical College for a medical assessment.
Mr. George surrendered after police arrived to take him into custody following the Kerala High Court’s refusal of his anticipatory bail application.
On Saturday, Mr. George had sought an extension until February 24 to appear before the police for questioning regarding the hate speech allegations.
The High Court dismissed his plea, indicating that allowing bail in such circumstances would convey an inappropriate message to society.
Mr. George faced allegations of delivering a hate speech aimed at a minority community during a discussion on a television channel.
He turned to the High Court after the Kottayam Sessions Court rejected his request for anticipatory bail in a case filed by the Erattupetta police.
The case stemmed from a complaint by Muhamed Shihab, a leader in the Muslim Youth League, who claimed that Mr. George made statements that could “incite religious hatred.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)