KOCHI: The high court on Friday granted conditional bails to ex-MLA PC George in both the cases against him alleging hate speech. Justice Gopinath P granted bails after considering two petitions filed by George seeking bail in the case registered at Thiruvananthapuram and for anticipatory bail in the case registered in Kochi.
The regular bail plea in Thiruvananthapuram case was filed as he was arrested following cancellation of bail by a court in Thiruvananthapuram for violation of bail condition.
The court directed George not to make any speech or statement which would tend to result in commission of offences under Section 153A (promoting religious enmity) or 295A (hurting religious sentiments) of the IPC.
Senior advocate P Vijayabhanu, who represented George, argued that the applicant has been falsely implicated by taking bits and pieces from his speech.
Director general of prosecution (DGP) TA Shaji submitted that the main concern of prosecution is that the applicant will indulge in similar offences if released on bail. The second crime alleged against the applicant was committed after he was released on bail in the first crime, the DGP pointed out. His voice sample is yet to be collected and it has to be probed whether there was a larger conspiracy, the court was told.
Vijayabhanu submitted that the applicant is a 72-year-old man suffering from age-related illnesses and was an MLA for 33 years. He is not a flight risk and investigation can be conducted without him being in custody.
Deciding to grant conditional bails, the court said that continued detention of George is not necessary as the alleged crimes are punishable with a maximum imprisonment up to three years and he is not likely to flee from justice.
'Will reply to Pinarayi in Thrikkakara on Sunday'
Later in the day, on his release from the Poojappura Central Prison, George told media that he would give a befitting reply to CM Pinarayi Vijayan at Thrikkakara on Sunday. "It (his arrest) is part of a game by Vijayan. He told his opinion about me at Thrikkakara. I will give him a befitting reply at Thrikkakara the day after tomorrow," George said.
"I am thankful to the court. It has been proved that there is value for the legal system in the Indian democratic system. Let the law take its own course, and I intend to continue work only by abiding by the high court verdict," he said.
Several BJP supporters had reached the prison to receive George on his release. He said that he would campaign for the BJP candidate in Thrikkakara.
