A team of Kochi Police officials raided senior politician P.C. George's house at Erattupetta in Kottayam on Saturday soon after a local court dismissed his advance bail plea in a hate speech case. The cops, however, could not take the former MLA into custody as he was not traceable.
The Ernakulam Additional Sessions Judge G. Girish, while dismissing the petition, observed that George's comments prima facie appear to be of such a nature as to promote disharmony, hatred and ill between communities.
"The comments made by the petitioner (George)... prima facie appear to be of such a nature as to promote disharmony, hatred and ill will between the persons belonging to Muslim community and the followers of two other predominant religions of our state," the court said.
The order also noted that George was recently arrested in a similar case in Thiruvananthapuram but was released on bail subject to the condition that he shall not make and propagate controversial statements that might hurt the religious sentiments of others.
The Mattancheri police filed the case against George, who represented Poonjar Assembly constituency for 33 years, on May 10 for the alleged objectionable remarks he made at an event held in connection with a temple festival in Vennala.
The case was registered under Indian Penal Code Section 153 (promoting enmity between different groups) and 295 A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs).
Police said they couldn't trace George at his home and his mobile phone is switched off. Mattanchery SP A.G. Ravindranath said they have got visuals of George leaving his house at noon.
George was earlier arrested on May 1 after he made an alleged objectionable remarks in Thiruvananthapuram but was released on bail on the same day. Addressing the Ananthapuri Hindu Maha Sammelan in the state capital, George allegedly asked non-Muslims in Kerala to avoid restaurants run by the community.
