Kerala High Court Asks ECI To Consider Plea Against BJP Candidate B Gopalakrishnan

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court on Friday asked the Election Commission of India (ECI) to examine a complaint against BJP candidate B Gopalakrishnan regarding alleged social comments made during campaigning in Guruvayur ahead of the assembly elections.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, while hearing the petition filed by Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) leader Gokul Guruvayur, directed the ECI to decide on the matter within two months. The court stated that an FIR has already been lodged, the video in question has been removed and since the complaint is still pending before the ECI, the petitioner must first seek redressal through the Commission.

Noting that the appeal was still pending, the court directed the ECI to review within two months of receiving the decision and closed the petition. It was also stated that since the election process has started, any comments that could affect the polls will be avoided.

Earlier, the police had filed a case under Section 192 of the BNS (intentional provocation with intent to cause riot) and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act 1951 for inciting religious hostility.

In his controversial statement, Gopalakrishnan allegedly claimed that Guruvayur constituency has not elected a Hindu MLA in the last 50 years, accused both the Left and Right fronts of not fielding Hindu candidates, and questioned why an international pilgrimage center like Guruvayur has never had such an MLA.