Kerala govt assures no misuse of amended Police Act, BJP to approach HC

Thiruvananthapuram : Facing mounting criticism over its controversial amendment to the Police Act, the Kerala government on Monday said it would take all necessary steps to ensure that the law brought with “good intention” to check cyberbullying was not misused.
Amid concerns that the amended law was an assault on freedom of speech and media, the BJP said it would approach the Kerala High Court against the implementation of the new provision that provides for imprisonment up to five years to those making defamatory social media posts.
The Congress, which has dubbed the amendment as a tacit move to silence critics and media, staged a protest march.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on Saturday signed the Kerala Police Act Amendment ordinance brought by the CPI-M led Left front government envisaging addition of Section 118-A to prevent cyber attacks against women and children.
State Law Minister A K Balan on Monday assured there was no need for any concern regarding the new amendment and said it was made in accordance with the changing times.
The provision was brought in with the good intention to check cyberbullying, especially against women, and not aimed at curtailing the freedom of the Press, he said.