Kochi | The Kerala High Court on Friday stayed the proceedings in a case registered against state Congress chief K Sudhakaran for allegedly making a provocative speech during a UDF protest outside the Corporation office here in March.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas stayed the case for three months, saying the charges do not make out an offence under section 153 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

"I am prima facie satisfied that the allegations made in the FIR do not make out an offence under Section 153 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. 3. In view of the above, there will be a stay of all further proceedings in Crime No.902 of 2023 of the Ernakulam Central Police Station, for a period of three months," the order said.

Sudhakaran, who is also a senior MP representing Kannur Parliament constituency, was booked under Section 153 of the IPC (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) on the basis of a complaint filed by a corporation councillor of the ruling CPI(M).

The complainant alleged that Sudhakaran made the provocative speech during the UDF protest organised outside the Kochi city corporation office on Thursday last against the CPI(M)-led council's alleged failure in dousing the recent Brahmapuram waste plant fire.