Kottayam, Kerala – Senior BJP leader and former MLA P.C. George surrendered before the Munsiff Magistrate Court in Erattupetta on Monday, following the Kerala High Court’s rejection of his anticipatory bail plea in a hate speech case.
George’s surrender ended two days of speculation over his possible arrest. His bail plea was denied due to violations of conditions set in a 2022 case involving similar hate speech charges.
Earlier in the day, a police team arrived at George’s residence, but he was not present, prompting tensions as BJP workers gathered in large numbers. Later, accompanied by his family and party members, he presented himself at the court.
The controversy stems from a television debate on January 5, where George allegedly made inflammatory remarks, equating all Muslims in India to terrorists and advocating their relocation to Pakistan.
Rejecting his bail plea on Friday, Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan emphasized that granting bail in such cases would send the wrong message to society. The court noted that George had previously been granted bail under the condition that he would not make statements promoting religious enmity—conditions he allegedly violated.
The case was filed by local resident Muhammed Shihab. George faces charges under Sections 196(1)(a) and 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), pertaining to promoting enmity between religious groups and outraging religious feelings, along with Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act.
This is not George’s first legal trouble over hate speech. In 2022, he was similarly booked for delivering communal remarks at public events.
