Kochi: The Kerala High Court has ruled that the act of placing sunglasses on the statue of Mahatma Gandhi during Christmas celebrations was indeed immoral, but clarified that the student responsible cannot be punished under existing laws.

Justice V G Arun said the verdict, noting that the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, does not contain provisions that would allow for penal action in this specific case. As a result, the court quashed the case filed against the student, citing the absence of a legal basis for punishment.

The court, however, emphasised that while individuals enjoy freedom and rights guaranteed by the Constitution, these liberties are bound by fundamental duties, which citizens must uphold. It added that the student ought to have been mindful of this constitutional responsibility.

The student claimed that the act was not intentional but done in a moment of excitement during the college’s Christmas celebrations. He later removed the sunglasses and a garland placed around the statue after realising the inappropriateness of his actions.

The incident occurred on December 21, 2023, at the Bharat Mata School of Legal Studies and was widely circulated through WhatsApp groups. A complaint led to the Edathala police registering a case, including charges related to incitement to riot. The college authorities also took disciplinary action against the student.