Case against Kerala MLA Jaleel over 'Azad Kashmir' remarks

Jaleel made the remarks in a Facebook post during his visit to Kashmir

A police case was registered against Kerala Left Front MLA K T Jaleel for referring to Jammu and Kashmir as 'India-Occupied Kashmir' and Pakistan occupied Kashmir as 'Azad Kashmir'.

The Keezhvaipur police in the Pathanamthitta district registered the case under section 153B of the IPC for imputations or assertions prejudicial to national integration and Sections of Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act. A local court in the district directed the police to register the case considering petition of a RSS activist.

Also Read — Kerala MLA Jaleel describes J&K as 'India Occupied Jammu and Kashmir'

The Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district had directed the SHO Keezhvaipur police station to register the case against Jaleel and investigate the matter.

In his Facebook post during his visit to the Valley on August 12, the MLA had said, "The part of Kashmir annexed to Pakistan was known as 'Azad Kashmir' and it was an area where the Pakistan government does not have direct control."

Jaleel, who was a minister in the previous CPI(M)-led LDF government, had said: "Indian adheena Jammu and Kashmir (India-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir) consists of parts of Jammu, Kashmir Valley and Ladakh." He later withdrew his controversial Facebook post.

Several people, especially BJP leaders, had come out against his post.

(With PTI inputs)