The Congress-led Opposition in Kerala on Monday demanded immediate restoration of armed security cover of former Kerala High Court judge, Justice (retd.) B. Kemal Pasha.
Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala wrote to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that Pasha had a glittering career as a judge.
He mentioned in the letter that Pasha came out with numerous path breaking judgments, and was provided security following threats to his life.
"He has been one judge who has handed out the maximum life sentences to the accused in various cases. He has been under threat from the Islamic State also.
"Of late, he has been critical of the Kerala government on certain issues and the sudden withdrawal of his security might be mistook by the people. Nothing should happen to his safety. Hence, his security should be restored," Chennithala wrote in the letter.
Pasha, known for his razor-sharp tongue, reacted sharply last week by saying he cannot be silenced through the withdrawal of security cover, and will continue to air his opinions.
Retired Justice of the Kerala High Court B Kemal Pasha is known to be vocal in his criticism against the CPI(M)-led LDF government for its 'failure' in handling several cases.
The government withdrew 4 armed police guards providing security cover for the judge. Speaking to TNM, the retired judge said that he belived that the government had deliberately removed his security cover as it was unhappy with certain comments he had made in the recent past.
"I received intimation about the withdrawal of security from the Special Branch two days ago. Now I realise that the police could have taken the decision to withdraw the security as I have spoken against the police and the government a couple of times recently. First was when the accused in the Walayar rape case were acquitted, I flayed the police for the laxity in their investigation. Secondly, I criticised the force when four suspected Maoists were killed in Agaly forest in Palakkad. I also called a minister's statement to conduct raids in movie sets as foolishness. All these may have provoked them," the retired judge told TNM.
Kemal Pasha was first given police protection by the state government back in 1996 when he became judge of a district court.
"My judgements in several cases had irked many. I had to pronounce verdict in several sensational cases. I did not deliberately go behind sensational cases, but they came during the time I was a judge. Hence, I have a lot of enemies" he said.
There were four police personnel posted to provide him security. The security was strengthened two years ago and they were allowed to be armed.
The retired judge noted that the security was withdrawn "abruptly" though he was facing threat from Islamic States terror operatives in Kerala.