Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Friday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of BJP leader P.C. George in connection with a hate speech he allegedly made during a recent television debate.

George approached the high court after the Kottayam District Sessions Court denied his anticipatory bail in a case registered by the Erattupetta police. The case was filed based on a complaint from Muhamed Shihab, a Muslim Youth League leader, alleging that George’s remarks could incite religious hatred.

A former MLA, George is accused of making hate speech against a minority community during a TV discussion.

He was booked under Section 196(1)(a) and Section 299 of the BNS, as well as Section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act. PTI