Kochi: The Kerala High Court has quashed criminal proceedings against two Austrian Jew women who were booked under Section 153 IPC for tearing off pro Palestine posters at Fort Kochi in April, media reports said.The court said tearing off the posters is not illegal. The posters were displayed illegally.
The court said the tourists should have informed the competent authorities to remove the posters, the reports said.The duo were visiting Fort Kochi on tourist visas and were provoked on seeing the posters.They tore off the posters infuriating a few activists of an Islamic outfit which lodged a complaint against the women following which cases were registered against them.The activists pulled up an argument with the tourists before lodging the complaint.
The women fought the case in the Kerala High Court which acquitted them of all charges.Fort Kochi is known for its Jew Town and Jew culture and traditions. Many jews visit Fort Kochi to see the Paradesi synagogue. Large number of Jews lived in Kerala, mainly Ernakulam, since the first century BC. They left for Israel when it was formed in 1948.
