The Kerala police on Saturday "abruptly withdrew" security provided to retired High Court judge Justice B Kemal Pasha, who had been vocal against the CPI(M)-led LDF government's 'failure' in handling various cases, sources said here.
Four armed police guards deputed for his personal security were withdrawn by the government. Justice Kemal Pasha told TNM that he believed the government had withdrawn security deliberately as it was unhappy with a few comments that he had made in the recent past.
"I received intimation about the withdrawal of security from the Special Branch two days ago. Now I realise that the police could have taken the decision to withdraw the security as I have spoken against the police and the government a couple of times recently. First was when the accused in the Walayar rape case were acquitted, I flayed the police for the laxity in their investigation. Secondly, I criticised the force when four suspected Maoists were killed in Agaly forest in Palakkad. I also called a minister's statement to conduct raids in movie sets as foolishness. All these may have provoked them," Justice Kemal Pasha told TNM.
Police security was first provided for Kemal Pasha in 1996 when he became a judge in the district court.
"My judgements in several cases had irked many. I had to pronounce verdict in several sensational cases. I did not deliberately go behind sensational cases, but they came during the time I was a judge. Hence, I have a lot of enemies" he said.
There were four police personnel posted to provide him security. The security was strengthened two years ago and they were allowed to be armed.
The retired judge noted that the security was withdrawn "abruptly" though he was facing threat from Islamic States terror operatives in Kerala.
"The Special branch intimated me two years ago that I faced threats from the Islamic State as I was the judge hearing the case on SIMI terror training camp at Kanakamala," he said.
He told PTI, "The decision was taken at the Home Secretary level on Friday. The police personnel left me ending their service today (Saturday)."
The eminent jurist said he would continue to protest its 'wrong policies'.
Police were not available for a comment.
With Inputs from PTI