Kerala Govt puts gag law for social media on hold

New Delhi, November 23

Under fire, the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left front government in Kerala today decided to put on hold a controversial amendment to the Police Act that many described as an assault on the freedom of expression and media.

Edit: Kerala’s u-turn

Customs to arrest CM’s ex-principal Secy

Kochi: A special PMLA court on Monday granted permission to the Customs Department to arrest CM’s ex-Principal Secy M Sivasankar, who is currently in judicial custody, in connection with the Kerala gold smuggling case. PTI

The amendment, made via an ordinance, entailed up to five-year jail term to those making defamatory social media posts. Vijayan made the announcement shortly after CPM and CPI top leaders Sitaram Yechury and D Raja said in Delhi that the decision would be reconsidered. A Left leader said one way for the state to get out of the quandary was to let the ordinance lapse in six months. Kerala is due for Assembly polls in April-May. — TNS