Being a Maoist is not a crime, says Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court on Friday said that being a Maoist is not a crime and that a person cannot be arrested merely because he is one. Acting on a writ petition filed by Shyam Balakrishnan, who alleged he was illegally picked up by the Kerala police last year on suspicion of being a Maoist, the bench of Justice Muahmmed Mustaque said a person could be arrested only if he is involved in unlawful activities. “Being a Maoist is no crime. Freedom of thought and liberty of conscience is a natural right. Freedom becomes unlawful only when it concerns the physical law of the State,” said the judge. Indian Express