Kerala police registers bizarre case against microphone

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday asked the police not to proceed with the case registered in connection with the howling sound from the microphone while he was addressing a remembrance meet organised by Kerala PCC in memory of Oommen Chandy in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.

The police had registered a case under section 118(e) of the Kerala Police Act, 2011, which pertains to the "penalty for causing grave violation of public order or danger." "Any person who knowingly does any act which causes danger to the public or failure in public safety," reads the section.

The police had also confiscated the "accused" in this case a microphone, amplifier and a set of wires.

The registration of the case raised several eyebrows as the police had not named any person as accused. With people taking to social media questioning the bizarre police action, the chief minister himself ordered that the cops should not proceed with the matter. He asked the police to stop the proceedings after ascertaining whether there was any security lapse.

As per the CM's direction, the police returned the seized microphone, wires and  amplifier to the owner.

Opposition leader V.D. Satheeshan said the police action has made the government and the police a laughing stock before the people. He alleged that the case against the microphone, which is unprecedented, was registered on the directions of the chief minister's office.

The police suspected that the fault was caused deliberately to sabotage the chief minister's address. When Pinarayi came on the dais to address the memorial meet, a group of Congress workers raised slogans in favour of Chandy. PCC president and Opposition leader calmed the workers and asked them to avoid shouting slogans.