Moral policing case: Shiv Sena activists move Kerala High Court for bail

Kochi: Shiv Sena activists indicted for vigilantism on Monday moved Kerala High Court seeking bail. They refuted allegations and claimed that they were protesting against trafficking and exploitation of girls including minors. T.R. Devan and others charged in the case moved the court arguing that the police wrongly arrested them. They were arrested on March 8 and were in police custody for four days. The petitioners claimed that they were entirely innocent were implicated on political reasons. The District and Sessions Court had earlier dismissed their bail application.

Eight activists are currently in judicial custody, a police sub-inspector placed under suspension and many others transferred to AR camp as a punishment for dereliction of duty following the hue and cry raised by the people over the police inaction. Even Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had in the state assembly admitted a lapse on the part of the police. Activists wielding canes and party flags paraded on the promenade till the APJ Abdul Kalam Marg opposite to the CMFRI building asking couples to ‘behave’.