Erattupetta: The Erattupetta court on Monday granted police custody of BJP leader and former Poonjar MLA P C George till 6 pm in the hate speech case. While the police had sought two days of custody, the court allowed only four hours. After the custody period ends, George must be presented before the magistrate again.

The court observed that there was no need for further interrogation or evidence collection in the case. His bail plea will be considered later on the day once the custody period concludes.
P C George, who had been in hiding after the Kerala High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea, surrendered before the Erattupetta Court at around 11 am on Monday. The police had registered a case against him following allegations that he made communal remarks during a television debate.

The Kerala High Court had denied anticipatory bail, stating that despite serving as an MLA for nearly three decades, George remains prone to making provocative statements, making him unfit to continue in politics. The court noted that his previous bail in a similar case had been granted on the condition that he would not make communal remarks, a condition he violated.

The order also cited George’s past provocative statements and emphasised that granting him anticipatory bail despite breaching bail conditions would send the wrong message to society. 
George has been arrested before in similar cases for delivering speeches that allegedly incited communal discord and hatred.