Vellapally Natesan gets anticipatory bail

Kochi: Hindu Ezhava leader Vellapally Natesan, booked by state Police for delivering a communal speech, on Wednesday secured anticipatory bail from the High Court.

The court, however, asked Natesan to present himself before the investigation officer on January 10. The court said he should be granted regular bail as and when he appears before the probe officer.

The high court examined a video of Natesan's speech before granting him anticipatory bail.

Natesan filed his plea on Monday, after which the court sought the state government's response.

Natesan said he was happy over the high court decision.

"I will abide by the court direction and appear before the probe officer," Natesan told reporters.

Meanwhile, sources close to Natesan said he might approach court again to get the charge against him quashed.

Kerala Police registered a case against Natesan on a complaint by state Congress president V.M. Sudheeran.

Natesan, while on a statewide yatra last month, said in a public speech that if anyone has to get gratis from the Oommen Chandy government, they should either be a Muslim or a Christian.

He was referring to the compensation given by the Chandy government to the family of auto-rickshaw driver Naushad, who died in Kozhikode after bravely entering a manhole to rescue two migrant labourers.

Soon after Natesan made this remark, there was all-round condemnation by political leaders, barring from the BJP.

Natesan, at the culmination of his statewide tour earlier this month, launched a new political party, the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena, in the state capital.