Puthuppally by-election effect; Kerala police planning to withdraw case against NSS leaders

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It is doubted that the police will soon withdraw cases registered against NSS leaders for the Namajapayatra conducted in the capital in protest against speaker A N Shamseer's myth remark.

The police have received legal advice in this regard. Assistant Public Prosecutor R. Manu gave legal advice to the Cantonment Police.

No violence or lawlessness were reported in the procession held. In this regard, the legal experts have advised the police to withdraw the case unless any individual or organization comes up with a complaint against the procession.

It was on August 2 that NSS conducted the procession across the capital city. The Cantonment Police then acted in haste and registered a case against NSS Vice President Sangeeth Kumar and thousands of other activists who joined the procession.

The case was registered on charges of creating traffic obstruction. The government informed the court that the march was conducted without seeking permission. The police were forced to take legal advice after the High Court decided to take up the case for consideration.

The police decision to withdraw the case against NSS comes just one day before the Puthuppally by-election. The move may be an alleviating attempt to make NSS tilt in favour of the left party during the election. It was NSS Vice President Sangeeth Kumar, who approached the High Court demanding the cancellation of the case.