Lakshadweep filmmaker and model, Aisha Sultana has been granted anticipatory bail by Kerala high court against the sedition case filed by Lakshadweep BJP president C Abdul Khadar Haji. 

BJP Lakshadweep unit president Abdul Khader Haji had filed a sedition case against Aisha Sultana for her remarks against the Island’s administrator Praful Khoda Patel in a Malayalam TV debate show.

On June 10, Haji filed a case against Aisha at the Kavaratti Police station. Therefore, Aisha was booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). 

Soon after the complaint, the police had registered an FIR against Sultana. Abdul Kader’s allegations cited Sultana’s false information about the spread of COVID-19 in the islands in addition to remarks against Praful Patel, which he amounted to an anti-national act. 

Followed by the case, Sultana was sent a notice under section 41A Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). Further, she was asked by the police to appear at the Lakshadweep Police headquarters in Kavaratti. 

Based on a report by The Hindu, Akbar Kareem, Aisha’s lawyer confirmed that she was questioned by the police on June 20, 23 and 24 in connection with a case under sections 124(A) and 153(B)- sedition and assertions against national integration- of the Indian penal code. 

The same report added that Kareem had accompanied Sultana to Kavaratti police station. Upon examining Aisha’s social media accounts and connections, the police cleared her of any contact with foreigners or an international grouping. Later, the court granted anticipatory interim bail to Aisha Sultana for a week. 

At the court’s hearing, today,  Aisha’s counsel defended her that the word ‘bio-weapon,’ was used in the context of criticising the COVID-19 relaxations in the islands which reflected the thoughts of the aggrieved lot. 

Therefore, justice Ashok Menon (who previously granted anticipatory interim bail) had passed the anticipatory bail application filed by Aisha Sultana.

Ever since the Lakshadweep issue was exposed by Mollywood film personalities including Privthviraj, the voice against the alleged authoritarian administration in the union territory has been increasing.  

Dismantling Lakshadweep’s successful administration paradigm, introducing alcohol to the people of the islands on the pretext of tourism attraction and uplifting travel restrictions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic are some of the highlighted allegations against the present BJP officials in the Islands.