KOCHI: Writer Santhosh Echikkanam, who was arrested on Saturday for allegedly making anti-Dalit comments during his speech, was granted bail within hours. The bail was granted by Kasargod district sessions court.

The controversial speech was made in Kozhikode on February 9 and the case was filed based on a complaint lodged by Kasargod native Balakrishnan. It was Kasargod DySP who arrested Echikkanam. Earlier, Santhosh had approached the high court, seeking anticipatory bail but the high court instruction was to surrender before the police.