Hundreds of protesters associated with the Vizhinjam and Sabarimala agitations during the tenure of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government have sought an early withdrawal of the cases booked against them.

The demand has gained momentum with the State government announcing its decision to withdraw cases booked in connection with protests against the now-scrapped semi-high-speed rail corridor project.

The demand for the withdrawal of cases raised by the social and religious groups that led the protests would bring immense pressure on the government, considering the socio-political, religious, and legal factors involved. The LDF government, which had withdrawn a few cases, had not considered for withdrawal the ones booked for destruction of public property, conspiracy, attempt to murder, arson, rioting and causing grievous hurt.

Vizhinjam protest

Around 2,000 protesters, who were led by the Latin Catholic Archdiocese-supported Vizhinjam Action Council, were booked following the 2022 protest. The protests, which highlighted the environmental and livelihood concerns of coastal dwellers and fishermen following the construction of the Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt. Limited, had turned violent. The protesters had reportedly attacked the Vizhinjam police station, damaged government vehicles, held several police personnel hostage, and caused widespread damage.

“The government had even booked criminal cases against those people who addressed the protesters and the owners of the vehicles in which the guests arrived at the protest site,” said Patrick Michael, convenor of the council. The council has raised the demand with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, he said.

S. Rajeevan, general convener of the action council against the SilverLine semi-high-speed rail project, noted that a large number of cases were booked against the protesters in different parts of the State. “We had sought the withdrawal of cases besides scrapping of the project,” he said.

Sabarimala case

Sabarimala Karma Samiti, the Sangh Parivar outfit which led the public protest against the entry of women of menstruating age in the Sabarimala temple following a Supreme Court order, estimates that around 10,000 cases were booked against around 16,000 activists. Nearly half the number of cases have either been compounded after remitting fine or the courts dismissed them, said S.J.R. Kumar, general convener.

“The LDF government didn’t consider our application favourably. We will approach this government for the withdrawal of the cases,” he said.

Responding to the developments, T. Asaf Ali, Director General of Prosecution, noted that the government will have to look into the request for withdrawal of cases and ascertain the public interest involved in the demand. Individual applications will have to be moved in the courts concerned and reasons have to be assigned for the withdrawal of prosecution. Affected parties too shall be heard, he said.

It’s up to the courts concerned to decide on the application for withdrawal of the cases. The LDF government’s move to withdraw the Assembly ruckus case had backfired with the courts up to the Supreme Court rejecting the plea, he said.

‘No blanket decision’

P. Rajeeve, Law Minister in the LDF government, said the stand of the present government in the withdrawal of cases matched the position of the previous government. The application for withdrawal of cases can be considered only by following the guidelines laid down by the courts. There cannot be a blanket decision to withdraw the cases. It’s the court’s prerogative to decide on such applications, he said.