In a span of ten days, PC George had two cases registered against him for delivering speeches on communal lines.
On May 10, the Palarivattom Police in Kochi registered a suo motu case against George on the charge for delivering a speech on communal lines at a temple in Vennala on May 8.
In this speech, which was aired on various platforms, George referred to the Muslim community in a purportedly derogatory manner, including by alluding to “love jihad”.
“Love jihad” is a term used to support the conspiracy theory which claims that Muslim men marry women of other religions to convert them to Islam.
He has been charged under Sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, etc and doing acts prejudicial to maintaining harmony) and 295A (deliberate and malicious act intended to outrage religious feelings by insulting its religion or reliÂgious beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code.
George then approached the Principle Sessions Court, Ernakulam, seeking anticipatory bail under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Source: Barandbench
