The court restrained the police from arresting him in connection with a case registered against him under the SC/ST Act.
Published Dec 14, 2022 | 7:55 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 14, 2022 | 7:55 PM
Sabu M Jacob is an industrialist and the chief coordinator of Twenty20 Kizhakkambalam. (Wikimedia Commons)
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday, 14 December, restrained the police from arresting Twenty20 party chief and industrialist Sabu M Jacob in connection with a case registered against him under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
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.
Besides Jacob, four others, too, have been named as accused in the case.
It also said that a notice should be issued to the accused, summoning them to appear before the investigating officer.
The court accepted the plea filed by Jacob seeking to quash the FIR against him and issued notice to MLA P V Sreenijin, the complainant.
The case was registered on 8 December under sections 3(1) (r) and 3 (1) (u) of the SC/ST Act based on a complaint filed by Sreenijin.
Apart from Jacob, the case has been registered against the Panchayat Vice-President, Prasanna Pradeep, members Sathya Prakash, Jeel Mavelil and Rehani PT.
Section 3 (1)(r) of the Act deals with the offence of intentionally insulting or intimidating with an intent to humiliate a member of a 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 states that Jacob barred the panchayat members from attending any event with Sreenijin.
It also alleged that on 17 August, the accused walked off the stage when Sreenijin arrived to attend the event organised by the Agriculture department, insulting the MLA in front of the public.
Sreenijin also alleged that Jacob had earlier asked people to treat the Left MLA as an enemy and barred the panchayat members from attending any function with him.
Twenty20 is a charity outfit floated by the Anna-Kitex Group seven years ago, which later became a political platform and won four grama panchayats in the local body polls held in Kerala in 2020.
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