High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeBail granted to petitioners with stringent cond...

Bail Application No. 1646 of 2024 (Criminal) – Amarubin @ Amaru, Bipin @ Vipin, Sarath and Muhammed Mubarak v. State of Kerala and Thrithala Police Station

Case / Petition Number:B.A. No.1646 of 2024

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • C.S. Dias
Judgment Date
2024-03-11
Court Decision / Holding
The bail application is allowed. The petitioners are to be released on bail on a bond of Rs.50,000 each with two solvent sureties, subject to conditions: (i) appearance before the Investigating Officer every Saturday for one month or till final report; (ii) refrain from inducement or tampering with witnesses; (iii) not commit any offence while on bail; (iv) surrender any passports; (v) possible cancellation of bail on violation; (vi) applications for modification can be moved; (vii) IO may investigate and take necessary actions including recoveries, in line with Sushila Aggarwal guidance.
Final Disposition
Bail granted to petitioners with stringent conditions

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Amarubin @ Amaru
  • Bipin @ Vipin
  • Sarath
  • Muhammed Mubarak

Respondents

  • State of Kerala represented by Public Prosecutor, High Court of Kerala
  • Station House Officer, Thrithala Police Station, Palakkad District

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • R. Sreehari
  • • Hamza A.V.
  • • Vignesh S.
  • • Aparna M.P.

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Public Prosecutor SMT. Neema T.V.

Case Synopsis & Summary

This is a Kerala High Court bail order under Section 439 CrPC concerning accused nos. 1, 2, 4 and 5 in Crime No.116/2024 of Thrithala Police Station, Palakkad. The petition seeks bail after the accused were arrested in February 2024 for alleged offences including 143, 147, 148, 341, 323, 324, 294(b) and 308 r/w 149 IPC, arising from an alleged common‑intention unlawful assembly that allegedly beat the de facto complainant and friends with iron sticks. The prosecution states that the investigation is ongoing and the 4th accused has prior antecedents, raising concerns about tampering with evidence and re‑offending; however, the petition asserts innocence, false implication, and that Section 308 was invoked only to deny bail. The court notes injuries to the injured as per medical records and observes that co‑accused 6 and 7 have already been enlarged on bail. Citing Sanjay Chandra v. CBI, Dataram Singh v. State of UP, and State of Kerala v. Raneef, the judge reiterates the presumption of innocence, that bail is the norm rather than the exception, and that prolonged undertrial detention infringes Article 21. After careful consideration, the court finds detention unnecessary and grants bail subject to stringent conditions: Rs.50,000 bond with two sureties, weekly IO appearances, no tampering, surrender of passports (if any), and potential cancellation on violation, with modifications permissible by the trial court. The order underscores the right to liberty while balancing legitimate state interests.

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973Sections 143, 147, 148, 341, 323, 324, 294(b) and 308 read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Presumption of innocence until proven guilty
  • Bail is the general rule; imprisonment before conviction is an exception
  • Prolonged undertrial detention can infringe Article 21 of the Constitution
  • Judicious and compassionate exercise of discretion in bail decisions
  • Authority: Sanjay Chandra v. CBI; Dataram Singh v. State of UP; State of Kerala v. Raneef; Sushila Aggarwal v. State (NCT of Delhi) and another (cited for bail conditions)

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners contend innocence and false implication, noting that Annexure-1 FIR suggests that Section 308 IPC was invoked only to deny bail. They point to injuries on all sides and the completion of investigation, with recovery effected; they argue that accused 6 and 7 have already been granted bail. They submit that the offences are primarily under IPC sections related to unlawful assembly with weapons and do not justify continued detention when the case is at a late stage, as recognized in leading authorities quoted by the court.

Contentions of Respondents

The State counters that investigation is still in progress and that the 4th accused has criminal antecedents, with a real risk of re‑offence and tampering with evidence if released. It emphasizes the seriousness of the offences and the need to safeguard the investigation and potential witnesses, arguing bail should be denied at this stage.

Cited Precedents (4)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Sanjay Chandra v. CBI2012 (1) SCC 40PositiveAffirms presumption of innocence and that pre‑trial detention is punitive; bail should not be denied solely on past conduct.
Dataram Singh v. State of UP2018 (3) SCC 22PositiveBail is a general rule; detention is an exception; discretion must be judicious and case‑based.
State of Kerala v. Raneef2011 (1) SCC 784PositiveUndertrial detention for indefinite periods violates Article 21.
Sushila Aggarwal v. State (NCT of Delhi) and another2020 (1) KHC 663PositiveSupports imposing bail conditions in appropriate cases as per Supreme Court guidance.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

# **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** ## **`PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.S.DIAS ``` ``` MONDAY, THE 11[TH] DAY OF MARCH 2024 / 21ST PHALGUNA, 1945 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO. 1646 OF 2024 ``` ``` CRIME NO.116/2024 OF THRITHALA POLICE STATION, PALAKKAD PETITIONER/ACCUSED NOS 1,2,4 AND 5: ``` - **`1 AMARUBIN @ AMARU AGED 28 YEARS S/O.KUNJIMUHAMMED, KURIKKALPARAMBIL HOUSE, NHANGATTIRI POST, PATTAMBI TALUK, PALAKKAD DISTRICT,, PIN - 679303`** - **`2 BIPIN @ VIPIN AGED 23 YEARS S/O.SIVASANGARAN, CHENGADITHODIYIL HOUSE, PALLIPURAM, PARUTHUR POST, PATTAMBI TALUK, PALAKKAD DISTRICT, PIN - 679305`** - **`3 SARATH AGED 26 YEARS`** ``` S/O.SIVASANGARAN, PANTHALLOOR HOUSE, NHANGATTIRI POST, PATTAMBI TALUK, PALAKKAD DISTRICT, PIN - 679303 ``` ## **`4 MUHAMMED MUBARAK AGED 26 YEARS`** ``` S/O.SULAIMAN, THAZHATHETHIL HOUSE, NHANGATTIRI POST, THRITHALA, PATTAMBI TALUK, PALAKKAD DISTRICT, PIN - 679303 ``` ``` BY ADVS. R.SREEHARI HAMZA A.V. VIGNESH S. APARNA M.P. ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** - **`1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031`** - **`2 STATION HOUSE OFFICER THRITHALA POLICE STATION, PONNANI- PALAKKAD ROAD,`** ``` 2 ``` ## **B.A. No.1646 of 2024** ``` THRITHALA POST, PATTAMBI TALUK ,PALAKKAD DISTRICT, PIN – 679534 ``` ``` SR.PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SMT. NEEMA T.V. ``` ``` THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 11.03.2024, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` **B.A. No.1646 of 2024** ``` 3 ``` ## **Dated this the 11[th] day of March, 2024** ## **O R D E R** The application is filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, by the accused 1, 2, 4 and 5 in Crime No.116/2024 of the Thrithala Police Station, Palakkad, registered against the accused (seven in number), for allegedly committing the offences punishable under Secs. 143, 147, 148, 341, 323, 324, 294(b) and 308 read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code. The petitioners 1, 3 and 4 were arrested on 20.2.2024 and the second petitioner’s arrest was recorded on 27.2.2024 . 2. The essence of the prosecution case is that: at around 18.40 hours on 18.2.2024, the accused in prosecution of their common intention formed an ## **B.A. No.1646 of 2024** ## **`4`** unlawful assembly with deadly weapons and they wrongfully restrained the de facto complainant ( injured) and his friends and beat them with iron sticks and also with hands. The first accused hit on the rear side of the de facto complainant’s head with an iron stick and the second accused hit the de facto complainant on the right side of his head. It is only because the de facto complainant warded off the attack, he did not lose his life. Thus, the accused have committed the above offences. 3. Heard; Sri.R.Sreehari, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and Smt. Neema T.V. the learned Senior Public Prosecutor. 4. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are totally innocent of the accusations levelled against them. They have been falsely implicated in the crime. A reading of Annexure-1 FIR **B.A. No.1646 of 2024** ``` 5 ``` would substantiate that the offence under Sec.308 will not be attracted. The said offence has been incorporated only for the purpose of denying bail to the petitioners. In fact, the petitioners have also suffered injuries in the alleged incident. Annexure A3 is a counter case that has been registered against the de facto complainant, wherein the offence under Section 326 of IPC has been incorporated. In any given case, the petitioners have been in judicial custody since 20.2.2024, the investigation in the case is practically complete and recovery has been effected. The accused 6 and 7 have already been enlarged on bail by this Court as per order dated 5.3.2024 in B.A.No.1651/2024. Therefore, the petitioners’ further detention is unnecessary. Hence, the application may be allowed. 5. The learned Public Prosecutor opposed the application. She contended that the investigation is still ``` 6 ``` ## **B.A. No.1646 of 2024** in progress. She further submitted that the 4[th] accused has criminal antecedents. He is involved in six other crimes. If the petitioners are released on bail, there is every likelihood of them committing similar offences and tampering with evidence. Hence, the application may be dismissed. 6. The predicate offence alleged against the petitioners is under Section 308 of the IPC. On an evaluation of the Accident Register cum Wound Certificates of the three injured dated 19.2.2024 issued by the Taluk Headquarters Hospital, Pattambi, it can be seen that the injured have only sustained contusions on the different parts of their body. It was in the above said circumstances, this Court enlarged the accused 6 and 7 on bail by order in B.A. No.1651/2024. 7. In **Sanjay Chandra v. CBI,** [2012 1 SCC 40], the2024:KER:11608 Honourable Supreme Court has ``` 7 ``` ## **B.A. No.1646 of 2024** categorically held that the fundamental postulate of criminal jurisprudence is the presumption of innocence until a person is found guilty. Any imprisonment prior to conviction is to be considered as a punitive and it would be improper on the part of the Court to refuse bail solely on the ground of former conduct. 8. In **Dataram Singh v. State of U.P** ., [(2018) 3 SCC 22] the Honourable Supreme Court observed that grant of bail is a rule and putting a person in jail is an exception. Even though the grant of bail is entirely the discretion of the court, it has to be evaluated based on the facts and circumstances of each case and the discretion has to be exercised in a judicious and compassionate manner. 9. Subsequently, in **State of Kerala v. Raneef** , [(2011) 1 SCC 784], the Honourable Supreme Court has again held that undertrial prisoners detained in jail for ``` 8 ``` ## **B.A. No.1646 of 2024** indefinite periods, without any sufficient reason or due to the delay in concluding the trial, will tantamount to infringement of their right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. 10. After bestowing my anxious consideration to the facts, the rival submissions made across the Bar, and the materials placed on record, particularly after going through the Accident Register cum Wound Certificates of the three injured and the order in B.A. No.1651/2024, I am of the definite view that the petitioners’ further detention is not necessary. Hence, I am inclined to allow the bail application, but subject to stringent conditions. In the result, the application is allowed, by directing the petitioners to be released on bail on them executing a bond for Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) with two solvent sureties each for the like sum, to the satisfaction of the court having jurisdiction, which shall ``` 9 ``` ## **B.A. No.1646 of 2024** be subject to the following conditions: (i) The petitioners shall appear before the Investigating Officer on every Saturday between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m for a period of one month or till the final report is laid, whichever is earlier. They shall also appear before the Investigating Officer as and when required; (ii) The petitioners shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or procure to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the court or to any Police Officer or tamper with the evidence in any manner, whatsoever; (iii) The petitioners shall not commit any offence while he is on bail; - (iv) The petitioners shall surrender their passports, ``` 10 ``` ## **B.A. No.1646 of 2024** if any, before the court below at the time of execution of the bond. If they have no passports, they shall file affidavits to the effect before the court below on the date of execution of the bond; (v) In case of violation of any of the conditions mentioned above, the jurisdictional court shall be empowered to consider the application for cancellation of bail, if any filed, and pass orders on the same, in accordance with law. (vi) Applications for deletion/modification of the bail conditions shall be moved and entertained by the court below. (vii) Needless to mention, it would be well within the powers of the Investigating Officer to investigate the matter and, if necessary, to effect recoveries on the ``` 11 ``` ## **B.A. No.1646 of 2024** information, if any, given by the petitioners even while the petitioners are on bail as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in **Sushila Aggarwal v. State (NCT of Delhi) and another [2020 (1) KHC 663].** **SD/-** **C.S.DIAS, JUDGE** rmm/11/3/2024 **B.A. No.1646 of 2024** ``` 12 ``` ## **`APPENDIX OF BAIL APPL. 1646/2024`** ## **`PETITIONER ANNEXURES`** ``` Annexure 1TRUE COPY OF THE FIRST INFORMATION REPORT IN CRIME NO.116/2024 OF THRITHALA POLICE STATION DATED 19/02/2024 Annexure 2ORDER DATED 22/02/2024, PASSED IN C.M.P NO.788/2024 (IN CRIME NO.116/2024 OF THRITHALA POLICE STATION), BY THE COURT OF THE JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS, PATTAMBI ``` ``` Annexure 3TRUE COPY OF THE FIRST INFORMATION REPORT IN CRIME NO.124/2024 OF THRITHALA POLICE STATION DATED 20/02/2024 ```