Thiruvananthapuram: CPI-M leader MV Jayarajan, sentenced last week to six months` imprisonment by the Kerala High Court in a contempt of court case, was on Wednesday released from the central prison here, a day after the Supreme Court granted him bail.
At a reception organised by his party outside the prison, he said the apex court order vindicated CPI-M`s stand that people are supreme in a democracy and no arm of the system is above criticism. The high court initiated contempt proceedings against the former MLA from Kannur and CPI-M state committee member, for his alleged derogatory remarks against judges and the judiciary for banning roadside meetings. The high court had last week sentenced him to six months imprisonment.
Taking umbrage at the imprisonment handed down to him, the CPI-M had on Monday staged a sit-in dharna near the high court. Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the CPI-M should apologise to the people for staging a protest before the high court.
The party`s attitude exposed its "double standard" towards the judiciary, he told reporters here.
PTI