Calling Muslims terrorists: court grants BJP leader PC George bail
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Kottayam: BJP leader PC George got bail from a Kerala court on Friday in a case where he called all Muslims terrorists. The 74-year-old former MLA was granted bail by the Erattupetta Magistrate, citing health conditions.
George, who is known for his controversial communal and political statements as well as actions, was arrested on February 24 after he surrendered before Erattupetta court. He was remanded for 14 days by the court, but following the court’s own order, he was taken to Kottayam Medical College Hospital for a medical checkup. He was admitted there to the ICU over certain ECG-level complications.
Before the BJP leader’s surrender, the Kerala High Court dismissed an anticipatory bail petition he filed in the hate speech case registered by the Erattupetta police. George allegedly called Muslims terrorists while speaking on a TV debate.
PC George faces charges under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 196(1)(a) for promoting enmity between groups based on religion and 299 for deliberate acts to outrage religious feelings. Additionally, he is charged under the Kerala Police Act's Section 120(O) for causing nuisance and violating public order.
The public prosecutor had submitted that George was not entitled to receive anticipatory bail as he has repeatedly violated bail conditions in 4 previous similar cases, showing disregard for court orders.
Earlier, PC George claimed his hate speech remarks were unintentional, calling them a "slip of the tongue" made during a heated TV debate. He apologized for the comments on social media, insisting he never meant to hurt religious sentiments. However, the Kottayam Sessions Court rejected his anticipatory bail petition, leading him to appeal to the Kerala High Court.