Kerala Cabinet decides to approach Governor to repeal new ordinance

The Cabinet decided to approach the Governor as the State Assembly is not in session to withdraw the ordinance, sources said.

Earlier, the Governor had signed the Kerala Police Act Amendment ordinance aiming to prevent cyber attack against women and children. The Act with addition of Section 118-A stipulates either imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to Rs 10,000 or both to those who violate the rule.

According to the ordinance, those who produce, publish or disseminate content through any means of communication with an intention to defame anybody can be arrested by the police without getting a complaint from anybody.

However, the Government was forced to withdraw the new ordinance facing criticism from Opposition parties and CPI(M) leaders including party general secretary Sitaram Yechury.

As the Government has only three options to withdraw the ordinance, it chose to approach the Governor to repeal the ordinance.

The ordinance is valid only for 42 days from the start of the Assembly session. If it is not enacted as a law by introducing it in the State Assembly, it will be cancelled automatically within 42 days. Under the given situation, the next Assembly session will be in early next year only. Hence the Government has decided to approach the Governor.