The CPI(M) MLA alleged that Sabu Jacob made the remarks while addressing a Twenty20 meeting at nearby Kolencherry on 21 January.
Published Jan 26, 2024 | 11:50 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 26, 2024 | 11:50 AM
Sabu M Jacob is an industrialist and the chief coordinator of Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam. (Wikimedia Commons)
A case has been registered against industrialist-turned-politician Sabu M Jacob for allegedly making derogatory remarks against a CPI(M) MLA during his party function recently, police said in Kochi.
The case was registered by the police in Puthencruz on Thursday, 25 January, under Indian Penal Code Section 153 (Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot — if rioting be committed — if not committed) based on a complaint lodged by PV Sreenijin MLA, the police said.
Jacob serves as the chief coordinator of Twenty20, a political party founded by him.
Police said that in his complaint, the Kunnathunad MLA alleged that Jacob made the remarks while addressing the Twenty20 meeting at nearby Kolencherry on 21 January.
Twenty20 was initially established as a charity outfit by the industrialist, but it later evolved into a political party, winning four grama panchayats in the panchayat polls held in 2020.
Reacting sharply, Twenty20 accused the ruling CPI(M) of “slaughtering democracy” in Kerala.
Terming it a false case, the outfit criticised the government, saying it was abusing police and legal systems.
“In a democracy, every citizen has the freedom to criticise the government. The cases filed against Jacob are a flagrant violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed to citizens by the Constitution of this country. This is an abuse of the legal system and the police system,” it said in a statement.
This is not the first time that Sabu Jacob and the CPI(M) MLA have crossed swords.
In December 2022, on a complaint filed by MLA Sreenijin, Kerala police registered a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against Jacob, Aikkaranadu Panchayat President Deena Deepak, and four other panchayat members.
The case was registered under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3 (1)(u) of the SC/ST Act based on a complaint filed by the Left MLA in the month of September.
Apart from Jacob and Deepak, the case has been registered against the panchayat vice-president, Prasanna Pradeep, and members Sathya Prakash, Jeel Mavelil and PT Rehani.
The section 3(1)(r) of the Act deals with the offence of intentionally insulting or intimidating with an intent to humiliate a member of scheduled caste or a scheduled tribe in any place within public view. Meanwhile, section 3(1)(u) of the Act deals with the words, either written or spoken, promoting or attempting to promote feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will against members of the scheduled caste or scheduled tribe.
The FIR stated that Jacob barred the panchayat members from attending any event with Sreenijin. It also alleged that on 17 August, the accused left the stage when Sreenijin arrived during an event — organised by the Agriculture Department — to insult the MLA in front of the public.
Later in December 2022, the Kerala High Court restrained the police from arresting Jacob in connection with the SC/ST (PoA) case.
Justice Kauser Edappagath said the arrest was not necessary in the case, but the accused needed to present themselves before the investigating officer as required.
(With PTI Inputs)
