Kerala CM Faces Investigation Over Alleged Provocative Speech

A Kerala court orders police to probe allegations against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for inciting party workers to attack Youth Congress activists. The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Ernakulam delayed issuing process due to jurisdictional limitations, directing an investigation under CrPC section 202(1). The complaint claims Vijayan’s speech urged assaults.

A Kerala court has instructed police to investigate allegations against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accused of inciting party workers to attack Youth Congress activists. The allegations stem from statements made during the Nava Kerala Sadas outreach programme organized by the government last year.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Ernakulam observed that the complaint was filed before the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) was enacted. The court noted jurisdictional challenges since Vijayan lives outside its territorial bounds, leading to a postponement of process issuance under section 202(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Consequently, the SHO of the central police station has been ordered to investigate the claims presented by Ernakulam District Congress Committee president Muhammed Shiyas. The complaint accuses the CM of encouraging violence by comparing protest actions to potential threats against government ministers during the Nava Kerala Sadas.

(With inputs from agencies.)