George steps out of jail after HC grants bail

Bharathiya Janata Party (BJP) workers greeted him outside the gate

Kerala Janapaksham (Secular) leader and former legislator P.C. George, 72, stepped out of the Central prison on Friday after the High Court granted him bail in the Ananthapuri Hindu Mahasammelan hate speech case.

A large group of Bharathiya Janata Party (BJP) workers greeted him outside the gate. They presented him with shawls and garlands. News television crews mobbed Mr. George for comments. However, he appeared taciturn and mindful of the bail condition set by the High Court.

Mr. George said he would abide by the law and uphold his political position. He left by car to his home in Irattupettah in Kottayam.

The Fort police had secured Mr. George's custody on Wednesday in the hate speech case. The Magistrate had cancelled Mr. George's bail for violating bail conditions.

The court found that the legislator, who had served five consecutive terms in the Assembly, repeated the allegedly "divisive trope" soon after being released on bail. The Magistrate viewed it as an infringement on the bond condition set by the court. He said the police could arrest Mr. George if required.

Subsequently, a Fort police team rushed to Kochi. They took custody of Mr. George after he appeared at the Palarivattom police station in connection with a similar hate speech case.

The case had sparked off a political storm. The ruling front and government had condemned Mr. George's remarks. Congress also blamed the government for allegedly kowtowing to pro-Sangh Parivar elements by not opposing Mr. George's bail initially.