An attempt by an Austrian woman booked by the Fort Kochi police for reportedly destroying pro-Palestine boards and a banner put up by the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) to leave the country failed after she was sent back by the emigration authorities at Cochin International Airport Limited on Thursday evening.
It emerged that though her passport was not impounded, she faced a travel ban based on a lookout circular issued by the Kochi City police.
The woman was booked by the police under Section 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) of the Indian Penal Code on a petition lodged by the SIO. She tried to fly out of the country after she was granted bail by a magistrate court in Mattancherry earlier on Thursday.
The SIO had lodged a fresh complaint with the District Police Chief (Kochi City) and Fort Kochi SHO demanding to invoke additional charges including IPC Section 427 (Mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) and Section 118 (Penalty for causing grave violation of public order or danger) of the Kerala Police Act.
Press meet
“We don’t want to strike a compromise, but want to pursue litigation. We have scheduled a press meet on the matter on Saturday,” said Fuaad P.S, president, Kochi City, SIO.
Meanwhile, the SIO restored the pro-Palestine board, which read “Silence is violence, stand up for humanity”. A similar board mounted at Kamalakkadavu near the Fort Kochi beach was allegedly torn down by the woman.
