Dismissing his petition, the court observed that granting bail in such a case would send a wrong message to society.

George, a former MLA, was accused of delivering a hate speech against a minority community during a TV channel discussion.

He had approached the High Court after the Kottayam District Sessions Court rejected his anticipatory plea in the case registered by the Erattupetta police based on a complaint by Muhamed Shihab, a Muslim Youth League leader, for allegedly making remarks that could incite religious hatred.

He was booked under sections 196(1)(a) and 299 of the BNS, as well as section 120(o) of the Kerala Police Act.