Kerala HC Quashes Case Against Former UDF MLAs Over 2015 Assembly Brawl

The case stemmed from complaints filed by former Left Democratic Front (LDF) women legislators Jameela Prakasham and K K Lathika, who accused the United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders of physical assault, wrongful restraint and outraging their modesty during the chaotic Assembly session.

The High Court observed that the complaints did not satisfy the essential ingredients required to establish an intention to outrage modesty under Section 354 of the IPC or wrongful restraint under Section 341.

The court noted that the UDF MLAs had intervened to protect then-Finance Minister K M Mani so that he could fulfil his constitutional duty of presenting the State Budget.

Justice P V Kunhikrishnan emphasised that while members of the Assembly have the right to conduct peaceful and democratic protests, no member has the right to physically block a Finance Minister from delivering the Budget, regardless of corruption allegations against him at the time.

The incident took place on March 13, 2015, when the then-opposition LDF protested inside the Kerala Legislative Assembly against Finance Minister K M Mani, who was facing allegations in the bar bribery scam, while he attempted to present the Budget.

Unprecedented scenes of violence broke out on the floor of the House, with electronic equipment and desks damaged and the Speaker's chair thrown from the podium.

Counter-complaints were subsequently filed by LDF women MLAs, alleging assault by UDF treasury bench members who had tried to shield the Finance Minister.

With the High Court's latest verdict, all criminal proceedings arising from these specific assault complaints against the former UDF MLAs stand quashed.

The case relates to the protest during which LDF MLAs allegedly barged onto the Speaker's podium and damaged computers and chairs while attempting to stop K M Mani from presenting the Budget. The LDF had accused Mani of accepting a bribe in connection with bar licences.