Ending two days of speculation, former MLA and senior BJP leader P.C. George surrendered before the Munsiff Magistrate Court at Erattupetta, Kottayam, Kerala, on Monday (February 24, 2025) in connection with a hate speech case.
Accompanied by a group of BJP workers and family members, Mr. George arrived at the court after the police sought to take him into custody earlier in the morning.
Earlier in the day, a police team reached Mr. George’s residence at Erattupetta. As news of their presence spread, BJP workers began gathering at the spot, leading to some tense moments. However, Mr. George was not home at the time.
Two days ago, he had requested an extension until February 24 to appear for the investigation in the case.
The case
The case against Mr. George was filed based on a complaint by the Muslim Youth League, which alleged that his remarks during a television debate were inflammatory and could incite religious hatred.
He has been charged under Section 196(1)(a) and Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act.
Mr. George had initially sought anticipatory bail from a sessions court in Kottayam, but his plea was denied on February 6. He then moved the Kerala High Court, which also rejected his request.
This is not the first time the former legislator has faced allegations of hate speech. In April 2022, he was booked for inflammatory remarks made during the Ananthapuri Hindu Maha Sammelanam. Later that year, the Palarivattom police registered another case against him for a communally sensitive speech delivered at Vennala, Kochi.
