High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeBail Granted

Binilkumar v. State of Kerala

Case / Petition Number:BAIL APPL. NO.1495 OF 2025 & connected cases
Neutral Citation:2025:KER:9666

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • P. V. Kunhikrishnan
Judgment Date
2025-02-06
Court Decision / Holding
The bail applications are allowed. The petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on a bond of Rs.50,000 with two solvent sureties, subject to conditions: appearance before IO as required, not leaving India without court permission, not committing a similar offence, and cooperation with investigations. Violation of any condition permits cancellation of bail. The prosecution and victim are free to seek cancellation if conditions are breached.
Final Disposition
Bail Granted

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Binilkumar

Respondents

  • State of Kerala represented by Public Prosecutor, High Court of Kerala
  • State of Kerala represented by Public Prosecutor, High Court of Kerala

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Visakh K. Johnson
  • • Parvathy S.
  • • Marilin Romeo

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Hrithwik C.S (Sr. PP)
  • • Noushad K.A (Sr. PP)

Case Synopsis & Summary

This is a set of connected bail applications filed by Binilkumar challenging orders in Crime Nos. 2062/2023, 1920/2023 and 24/2024 of Perumbavoor Police Station, and Crime No. 544/2024 of Thodupuzha Police Station, under Section 483 BNSS. The petitioner, aged 40, has been in custody since 25.01.2025, and contends that although the alleged offences are serious (inter alia under Sections 406 and 420 IPC), indefinite detention is unwarranted and bail with stringent conditions should suffice to ensure fair trial. The prosecution counters that there are eight other cases with the same set of allegations, amplifying concerns about flight risk and interference with investigations. The High Court, however, reiterates the long-standing bail jurisprudence that bail is the rule and jail the exception, and examines the case in light of this principle. Citing Supreme Court dicta in Chidambaram P. v. Directorate of Enforcement, Jalaluddin Khan v. Union of India, and Manish Sisodia v. Directorate of Enforcement, the court emphasizes that bail should not be denied where a case justifies it, even in serious offences. Consequently, the court grants bail under stringent conditions: a Rs.50,000 bond with two solvent sureties, appearance before IO, non-leave from India without court permission, abstaining from further offences, and a right to cancel bail on violation. The order reflects cautious optimism about fair trial while safeguarding legitimate investigative interests.

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)Sections 406 and 420 IPC

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Bail is the rule and jail is the exception
  • Art. 21 – Right to life and personal liberty / fair trial principle
  • Presumption of innocence (implicit in the right to a fair trial)

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioner argues that the offences are serious but cannot justify indefinite incarceration. He is willing to comply with any stringent conditions, including regular appearances, bond with solvent sureties, and restrictions on travel. The petition emphasizes that bail is the norm and detention is the exception, and urges the Court to ensure a fair trial, maintain the presumption of innocence, and prevent unnecessary deprivation of liberty given the length of the investigation and the multiplicity of connected cases.

Contentions of Respondents

The State contends that there are eight other cases against the petitioner with similar allegations, indicating potential flight risk and obstruction to investigations. Given the gravity of the charges and the pattern of offences, the prosecution submits that bail should be refused or tightly conditioned to safeguard evidence and ensure cooperation with authorities.

Cited Precedents (3)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Chidambaram P. v. Directorate of Enforcement2019 (16) SCALE 870PositiveCited to reinforce the principle that bail is the rule and jail is the exception, guiding the court’s approach to grant bail despite serious allegations.
Jalaluddin Khan v. Union of India2024 KHC 6431PositiveQuoted to emphasize that courts should grant bail when justified by the law, reiterating the bail-rule principle.
Manish Sisodia v. Directorate of Enforcement2024 KHC 6426PositiveSupport for the same bail principle and approach in the current matter, even with stringent statutory conditions.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

``` 2025:KER:9666 ``` **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ## **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** ## **`PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN ``` ``` THURSDAY, THE 6[TH] DAY OF FEBRUARY 2025 / 17TH MAGHA, 1946 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO. 1495 OF 2025 ``` ``` CRIME NO.2062/2023 OF Perumbavoor Police Station, Ernakulam ``` ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** ``` BINILKUMAR AGED 40 YEARS ``` ``` S/O GOPINATHAN, ATTAYATHU HOUSE, KURUPPAMPADY KARA, RAYAMANGALAM VILLAGE, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT, KERALA, PIN - 683545 ``` ## **`BY ADV VISHAK.K.JOHNSON`** ## **`RESPONDENT/S:`** ``` STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031 ``` ``` BY ADV. HRITHWIK.C.S, SR PP ``` ``` THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 06.02.2025, ALONG WITH Bail Appl..1479/2025, 1505/2025 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` 2025:KER:9666 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO.1495 OF 2025 & connected cases ``` ``` 2 ``` **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ## **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** ## **`PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN ``` ``` THURSDAY, THE 6[TH] DAY OF FEBRUARY 2025 / 17TH MAGHA, 1946 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO. 1479 OF 2025 ``` ``` CRIME NO.24/2024 OF Perumbavoor Police Station, Ernakulam ``` ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** ``` BINILKUMAR AGED 40 YEARS S/O GOPINATHAN, ATTAYATHU HOUSE, KURUPPAMPADY KARA, RAYAMANGALAM VILLAGE, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT, KERALA, PIN - 683545 ``` ## **`BY ADV VISHAK.K.JOHNSON`** ## **`RESPONDENT/S:`** ``` STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031 ``` ``` BY ADV. NOUSHAD.K.A, SR PP ``` ``` THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 06.02.2025, ALONG WITH Bail Appl..1495/2025 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` 2025:KER:9666 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO.1495 OF 2025 & connected cases ``` ``` 3 ``` **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ## **`PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN ``` ``` THURSDAY, THE 6[TH] DAY OF FEBRUARY 2025 / 17TH MAGHA, 1946 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO. 1505 OF 2025 ``` ``` CRIME NO.1920/2023 OF Perumbavoor Police Station, Ernakulam ``` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT DATED 27.01.2025 IN CMP NO.367 OF 2025 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS I ,PERUMBAVOOR ``` ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** ``` BINILKUMAR AGED 40 YEARS ``` ``` S/O GOPINATHAN, ATTAYATHU HOUSE, KURUPPANPADY KARA, RAYAMANGALANI VILLAGE, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT, KERALA, PIN - 683545 ``` ``` BY ADVS. VISHAK.K.JOHNSON PARVATHY S. MARILIN ROMEO ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/S:`** ``` STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031 BY ADV. NOUSHAD.K.A,SR PP ``` ``` THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 06.02.2025, ALONG WITH Bail Appl..1495/2025 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` 2025:KER:9666 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO.1495 OF 2025 & connected cases ``` ``` 4 ``` **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ## **`PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN ``` ``` THURSDAY, THE 6[TH] DAY OF FEBRUARY 2025 / 17TH MAGHA, 1946 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO. 1509 OF 2025 ``` ``` CRIME NO.544/2024 OF Thodupuzha Police Station, Idukki ``` ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** ``` BINILKUMAR AGED 40 YEARS ``` ``` S/O GOPINATHAN, ATTAYATHU HOUSE, KURUPPANPADY KARA, RAYANANGALAM VILLAGE, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT, KERALA, PIN - 683545 ``` ``` BY ADVS. VISHAK.K.JOHNSON MARILIN ROMEO PARVATHY S. ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/S:`** ``` STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031 ``` ``` BY ADV. HRITHWIK.C.S, SR PP ``` ``` THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 06.02.2025, ALONG WITH Bail Appl..1495/2025 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO.1495 OF 2025 & connected cases ``` ``` 5 ``` **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:9666 ``` **P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN, J -------------------------------B.A.Nos.1495, 1509, 1479 & 1505 of 2025 ------------------------------Dated this the 06[th] day of February, 2025** ## **C O M M O N O R D E R** These Bail Applications are filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). These Bail Applications are connected and filed by one and the same person. 2. Petitioner is an accused in Crime Nos.2062/2023, 1920/2023 & 24/2024 of Perumbavoor Police Station and Crime No.544/2024 of Thodupuzha Police Station, registered alleging offences punishable interalia under Sections 406 and 420 IPC. 3. The prosecution case is that, the accused collected huge amount from the defacto complainant in these cases, offering job at Singapore and the job is not provided and the amount is also misappropriated. It is also alleged that the accused forged visa and handed over to the defacto **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:9666 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO.1495 OF 2025 & connected cases ``` ``` 6 ``` complainant. 4. Heard counsel for the petitioner and the Public Prosecutor. 5. The counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is in custody from 25.01.2025. The counsel submitted that the allegation against the petitioner is not correct. Petitioner is ready to abide by any conditions, if this Court grants him bail. 6. The Public Prosecutor opposed the bail application. He submitted that there are eight other cases also registered against the petitioner with same set of allegations. 7. This Court considered the contention of the petitioner and the Public Prosecutor. It is true that the allegation against the petitioner is serious. The petitioner is in custody from 25.01.2025 onwards. The indefinite incarceration of the petitioner may not be necessary. Petitioner can be released on bail after imposing stringent conditions. **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:9666 ``` ## **`BAIL APPL. NO.1495 OF 2025 & connected cases`** ``` 7 ``` 8. Moreover, it is a well accepted principle that the bail is the rule and the jail is the exception. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in **Chidambaram. P v Directorate of Enforcement [2019 (16) SCALE 870],** after considering all the earlier judgments, observed that, the basic jurisprudence relating to bail remains the same inasmuch as the grant of bail is the rule and refusal is the exception so as to ensure that the accused has the opportunity of securing fair trial. 9. Moreover, in **Jalaluddin Khan v. Union of India [2024 KHC 6431]** , the Hon'ble Supreme Court observed that: “21. Before we part with the Judgment, we must mention here that the Special Court and the High Court did not consider the material in the charge sheet objectively. Perhaps the focus was more on the activities of PFI, and therefore, the appellant's case could not be properly appreciated. When a case is made out for a **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ## `2025:KER:9666` ## **`BAIL APPL. NO.1495 OF 2025 & connected cases`** **`8`** grant of bail, the Courts should not have any hesitation in granting bail. The allegations of the prosecution may be very serious. But, the duty of the Courts is to consider the case for grant of bail in accordance with the law. "Bail is the rule and jail is an exception" is a settled law. Even in a case like the present case where there are stringent conditions for the grant of bail in the relevant statutes, the same rule holds good with only modifcation that the bail can be granted if the conditions in the statute are satisfed. The rule also means that once a case is made out for the grant of bail, the Court cannot decline to grant bail. If the Courts start denying bail in deserving cases, it will be a violation of the rights guaranteed under Art.21 of our Constitution.” (underline supplied) 10. In **Manish Sisodia v. Directorate of Enforcement [2024 KHC 6426]** , also the Hon'ble Supreme ``` 2025:KER:9666 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO.1495 OF 2025 & connected cases ``` **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ## **`9`** Court observed that: “53. The Court further observed that, over a period of time, the trial courts and the High Courts have forgotten a very well - settled principle of law that bail is not to be withheld as a punishment. From our experience, we can say that it appears that the trial courts and the High Courts attempt to play safe in matters of grant of bail. The principle that bail is a rule and refusal is an exception is, at times, followed in breach. On account of non - grant of bail even in straight forward open and shut cases, this Court is flooded with huge number of bail petitions thereby adding to the huge pendency. It is high time that the trial courts and the High Courts should recognize the principle that "bail is rule and jail is exception". Considering the dictum laid down in the above ``` 2025:KER:9666 ``` **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ## **`BAIL APPL. NO.1495 OF 2025 & connected cases`** **`10`** decision and considering the facts and circumstances of this case, this Bail Application is allowed with the following directions: 1. Petitioner shall be released on bail on 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 jurisdictional Court. 2. The petitioner shall appear before the Investigating Officer for interrogation as and when required. The petitioner shall co-operate with the investigation and shall not, directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer. 3. Petitioner shall not leave India without permission of the jurisdictional Court. ``` 2025:KER:9666 ``` **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ## **`BAIL APPL. NO.1495 OF 2025 & connected cases`** ## **`11`** 4. Petitioner shall not commit an offence similar to the offence of which he is accused, or suspected, of the commission of which he is suspected. 5. If any of the above conditions are violated by the petitioner, the jurisdictional Court can cancel the bail in accordance to law, even though the bail is granted by this Court. The prosecution and the victim are at liberty to approach the jurisdictional court to cancel the bail, if there is any violation of the above conditions. **Sd/P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN JUDGE** SSG ``` BAIL APPL. NO.1495 OF 2025 & connected cases ``` **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:9666 ``` **==> picture [13 x 8] intentionally omitted <==** The Crime Number mentioned in the final order dated 06.02.2025 in B.A No.1509/2025 stands corrected and substituted as "558 OF 2024 of Thodupuzha Police Station" instead of "544 of 2024 of Thodupuzha Police Station" as per order dated 07.03.2025 in Crl.M.A No.1/2025 in B.A 1509/2025. **Sd/DEPUTY REGISTRAR**