Hours after Saji Cherian, MLA from Chengannur stepped down from the State cabinet following backlash over his controversial remarks against the Constitution, the Pathanamthitta District police on Thursday booked a case against him.
According to a senior police official, a case under Section 2 of the Prevention of Insults to the National Honour Act was registered at Keezhvaipur police station based on a direction by the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Thiruvalla. The provision under the Act carries a maximum punishment of three years imprisonment or fine or both.
The court issued a direction in this regard while considering a petition by a Kochi-based lawyer, who had accused the local police of not acting against the Minister despite filing a complaint. Besides the lawyer, a few other persons including the Kerala Congress leader Joseph M. Puthussery too had filed complaints with the police.
