In a firm stand against political violence, the Kerala High Court has granted anticipatory bail to five Congress workers accused in the assault and abduction of Koothattukulam municipal councillor Kala Raju. The court underscored that electoral disputes must be resolved through the ballot, not intimidation or street brawls.
Justice PV Kunhikrishnan, delivering the order, reminded all political factions that democracy thrives on trust and the will of the people, not coercion. “A political opponent should be defeated at the ballot box, not through force or vandalism,” he observed, while quoting Abraham Lincoln’s famous definition of democracy.
The case stems from a no-confidence motion against the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Moovatupuzha Nagara Sabha. Kala Raju, a CPI(M) councillor, had reportedly hinted at shifting allegiance to the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), a move that rattled her party. On January 18, while on her way to a crucial council meeting, she was allegedly attacked by a group, including the five petitioners and others yet to be identified. Her son promptly filed a police complaint, leading to an FIR against the accused.
The petitioners, however, countered that they were victims of a politically motivated case, orchestrated in retaliation by LDF members. They also argued that the charges against them, including those related to outraging a woman’s modesty, were baseless.
While the prosecution opposed their bail plea, citing the gravity of the allegations, the court took a broader view of the political culture at play. Expressing concern over rising street violence in politics, Justice Kunhikrishnan stressed that democracy can only survive if its leaders and citizens abide by the rule of law. “Political betrayal or policy shifts should be challenged at the ballot, not with fists and fury,” he stated.
Acknowledging the tensions caused by Raju’s possible defection, the court reiterated that political disputes should be settled through elections, not physical confrontations. With this, the court granted bail to the five Congress workers, instructing them to cooperate with the investigation.