Hate speech case in channel debate; Police will not arrest P.C. George immediately.

Police will not immediately arrest P.C. George. The police have decided against making a hasty move to surround his house and take him into custody. The government has assessed that such an arrest could politically benefit P.C. George. If instructed by the government, the police may issue a notice asking him to appear at the station.

The case against George was registered by the Erattupetta police under a non-bailable section based on a complaint filed by the Youth League. Both the Kottayam Additional Sessions Court and the High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea. Recently, the High Court dismissed his plea under strict scrutiny, stating that prima facie, the offense of hate speech stands. The court emphasized that issuing a public apology does not diminish the severity of the crime.

The court also noted that the public perceives the remarks of someone who has been a people's representative for years. If the comments were made in provocation, George does not deserve to continue as a political leader. His statements threaten the constitutional principle of secularism, the court observed. Additionally, the ruling emphasized that offenders should not be allowed to escape by merely paying a fine. Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan stated in the order that the Law Commission and Parliament should consider increasing the punishment for such offenses.