HC stays proceedings against Sasikala

The Kerala High Court has stayed for three months all further proceedings by the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Malappuram, against Hindu Aikya Vedi leader K.P. Sasikala, who had been charged under Section 153 of the IPC for allegedly delivering a provocative speech intended to create communal unrest in Malappuram on August 31, 2022.

She contended before the High Court that the first information report on the matter did not disclose any of the essential statutory ingredients needed to attract legal action under the Section. The allegations reflected a subjective perception of hurt sentiments, she said, adding that she never issued any call for violence.