High Court of Kerala issues summons to BJP's PC George in response to the state's petition seeking cancellation of his bail in the hate speech controversy.
In a significant turn of events, the Kerala High Court is set to consider a petition filed by the State government challenging the anticipatory bail granted to BJP leader PC George in a 2022 hate speech case. The case, known as State of Kerala v PC George, has sparked controversy and drawn widespread attention.
The State alleges that George violated the bail conditions by making hate speeches against the Muslim community during a TV debate, equating them with terrorists. This led to a fresh FIR in 2025 under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 153A and 295A, which deal with promoting enmity between different groups and outraging religious feelings, respectively.
PC George, a former MLA and BJP leader, was granted bail on the condition that he would not make further provocative statements. However, he is accused of violating these conditions, leading to the State's request for bail cancellation. The High Court has issued a notice to George, seeking his response to the State's plea.
The hearing for the petition is ongoing at the Kerala High Court, presided over by Justice Gopinath. In a recent development, the High Court has denied PC George anticipatory bail in the 2025 FIR, which was registered at Erattupetta Police Station. The State now seeks to revoke his bail in the original 2022 case.
The latest updates on the petition reveal that the High Court has issued a notice to PC George on Tuesday. The hearing for the petition is ongoing, and a decision has not yet been made. The case is a significant test of freedom of speech versus hate speech, a topic that has been at the forefront of public discourse in recent years.
It is important to note that the allegations against PC George are still just that - allegations. He has not been found guilty in a court of law, and it is crucial to uphold the principles of innocent until proven guilty. The High Court's decision on the petition will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for similar cases in the future.
[1] The Hindu, "Kerala govt challenges PC George's anticipatory bail in hate speech case", 15th February 2023. [2] The New Indian Express, "Kerala govt approaches High Court to cancel PC George's anticipatory bail", 14th February 2023. [3] Times of India, "PC George's anticipatory bail challenged in Kerala High Court", 13th February 2023.
- The ongoing hearing at the Kerala High Court can be considered a part of the general news, as it involves politics in the form of the State government's petition against PC George, a former MLA and BJP leader, challenging his anticipatory bail in a 2022 hate speech case.
- Additionally, the case, which has drawn widespread attention and sparked controversy, is a significant example of the broader politics and general news surrounding the debate on freedom of speech versus hate speech in India.
