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George Jacob v. State of Kerala & Others (OP(Crl.) Nos. 727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022, 730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022), High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam

Case / Petition Number:OP(Crl.) Nos. 727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022, 730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • P. V. Kunhikrishnan
Judgment Date
2023-09-25
Court Decision / Holding
1) The petitioners shall surrender before the jurisdictional court within two weeks from today. If an application for bail with advance copy to the prosecutor concerned is filed at the time of surrender, the jurisdictional court shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders on the surrender date, ideally on the date of surrender itself. 2) In order to enable the petitioners to appear before the court below, coercive proceedings pending against the petitioners shall be kept in abeyance for a period of two weeks. 3) All the contentions of the petitioners in this original petition are left open. The petitions are disposed of by these directions.
Final Disposition
Disposed of with directions: 1) surrender within two weeks; bail on surrender if filed; 2) coercive proceedings kept in abeyance for two weeks; 3) contentions left open. Overall disposition: case disposed with directions.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • George Jacob

Respondents

  • State of Kerala
  • Bijo P Sebastian
  • KLM Nidhi Ltd
  • Reliant Credits (India) Ltd
  • J.S.A George
  • Manju Shyjin
  • Thomas A.J
  • George Thomas

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Adv Varghese C. KuriaKose

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Public Prosecutor SMT. Nima Jacob
  • • Sri. Dileep S Kallar

Case Synopsis & Summary

These are a batch of original petitions under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act before the High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam arising from NI Act complaints against the petitioner George Jacob. The petitions seek to keep the complaints in abeyance pending the Sub Court’s IP No.3/2022, and to address bail on surrender to the jurisdictional court. The petitioner contends that surrender before the trial court should be permitted and that coercive steps should not be prematurely invoked; they propose that bail applications, with advance copies to the prosecutor, be considered on the surrender date. The Public Prosecutor counters that no directional relief to release is warranted; bail decisions should be left to the trial court and based on facts, not on petitions for stay. The court cites Vineeth Somarajan @ Ambadi and Biju S. Praveen to emphasize cautious handling of bail and safeguarding personal liberty, insisting that bail decisions be timely and reasoned. Ultimately, the judge disposes of the petitions by directing surrender within two weeks, with bail considerations on surrender if filed, keeping coercive proceedings in abeyance for two weeks, and leaving contentions open. The order balances due process, personal liberty, and practical trial-life considerations for NI Act cases.

Provisions of Law Cited

Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, Section 138

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Vineeth Somarajan @ Ambadi v. State of Kerala and another (2009 (3) KHC 471)
  • Biju S. Praveen v. State of Kerala and Another (2007 (2) KLT 280)

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners submitted that they are ready to surrender before the jurisdictional court and that there is no impediment to the bail application being considered on the surrender date. They apprehend remand if they appear at the trial court, and thus urged that the NI Act complaints be kept in abeyance until IP No.3/2022 is concluded. They argued that bail once sought should be considered promptly on surrender, ideally on the same day, with an advance copy of the bail application to the prosecutor. They contended that personal liberty should be protected and that bail decisions must be made with due mind, not as punitive steps. They relied on established principles that courts must exercise caution in remand orders and avoid unnecessary detention.

Contentions of Respondents

The Public Prosecutor contended that no directive to release is necessary and that bail or remand decisions fall within the remit of the trial court based on the facts of each case. He argued that staying the complaints or directing immediate bail would undermine the normal course of proceedings and that the lower courts should apply the law without external directions. He emphasized that the petitioners’ strategy to delay proceedings should not override established bail principles.

Cited Precedents (2)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Vineeth Somarajan @ Ambadi v. State of Kerala and another2009 (3) KHC 471PositiveCited for the proposition that bail decisions must be reasoned and timely, with due regard to personal liberty; supports considering bail on surrender and avoiding premptive remand.
Biju S. Praveen v. State of Kerala and Another2007 (2) KLT 280PositiveCited to emphasize careful judicial approach to bail and safeguarding personal liberty; supports the principle of deciding bail without undue delay.

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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 P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN ``` ``` MONDAY, THE 25[TH] DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 3RD ASWINA, 1945 OP(CRL.) NO. 727 OF 2022 ``` ``` ST 3/2021 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS -II, ``` ## **`KATTAPPANA`** ## **`PETITIONER/ACCUSED:`** ``` GEORGE JACOB AGED 57 YEARS, S/O CHACKO, VALIYAPADINJARETHIL HOUSE, KATTAPPANA SOUTH P.O., KATTAPPANA VILLAGE, IDUKKI TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT, PIN – 685515 ``` ``` BY ADV VARGHESE C.KURIAKOSE ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/STATE & COMPLAINANT:`** ``` 1STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS, SECRETARIAT, TRIVANDRUM, PIN–695001 2BIJO P SEBASTIAN AGED 33 YEARS, S/O SEBASTIAN, PUTHUPARAMBIL HOUSE, VALIAYATHOVALA P.O., VALIYATHOVALA KARA, PAMPADUMPARA VILLAGE, UDUMBANCHOLA TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT- 685514 ``` ## **`OTHER PRESENT:`** ``` SMT.NIMA JACOB, PUBLIC PROSECUTOR ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 25.09.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).56/2023, 59/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 2 # **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN MONDAY, THE 25[TH] DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 3RD ASWINA, 1945 OP(CRL.) NO. 56 OF 2023 ``` ``` ST 204/2022 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS - I, ``` ## **`DEVIKULAM`** ## **`PETITIONER/ACCUSED:`** ``` SHYNY AGED 45 YEARS, W/O MANOJ, PUTHENVEETTIL HOUSE, KATTAPPANA P.O., KATTAPPANA VILLAGE IDUKKI TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT, PIN – 685508 ``` ``` BY ADV VARGHESE C.KURIAKOSE ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS /STATE & COMPLAINANT:`** ``` 1STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA ERNAKULAM, PIN – 682031 2KLM NIDHI LTD HAVING REGISTERED OFFICE AT KLM TOWER, COLLEGE ROAD, KOTHAMANGALAM REPRESENTED BY POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER AND SENIOR EXECUTIVE, CREDIT CONTROL MR BINS VARGHESE, AGED 25 YEARS S/O VARGHESE, CHARADIYIL HOUSE, UPPUTHODE.P.O., CHALLICITY KARA, IDUKKI DISTRICT, PIN – 685604 ``` ``` BY ADV SRI.DILEEP S KALLAR - R2 SMT.NIMA JACOB, PUBLIC PROSECUTOR - R1 ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 25.09.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).727/2022 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 3 # **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN MONDAY, THE 25[TH] DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 3RD ASWINA, 1945 ``` ``` OP(CRL.) NO. 59 OF 2023 CC 9/2022 OF JUDL. MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS, ``` ## **`KOTHAMANGALAM`** ## **`PETITIONER/ACCUSED:`** ``` SHYNY AGED 45 YEARS, W/O MANOJ, PUTHENVEETTIL HOUSE, KATTAPPANA P.O., KATTAPPANA VILLAGE IDUKKI TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT, PIN – 685508 ``` ``` BY ADV VARGHESE C.KURIAKOSE ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS/STATE & COMPLAINANT:`** ``` 1STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA ERNAKULAM, PIN – 682031 2RELIANT CREDITS (INDIA) LTD,KOTHAMANGALAM REPRESENTED BY POWER OF ATTORNEY HOLDER GINCE GEORGE, AGED 45 YEARS, S/O VARGHESE, MANNAPURATH HOUSE, OONNUKAL P.O., KOTHAMANGALAM, PIN – 689647 ``` ``` BY ADV DILEEP S KALLAR S SMT. NIMA JACOB, PUBLIC PROSECUTOR ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 25.09.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).727/2022 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 4 ## **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** ## **`PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN MONDAY, THE 25[TH] DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 3RD ASWINA, 1945 OP(CRL.) NO. 728 OF 2022 ``` ``` CC 774/2019 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS , ``` ## **`KATTAPPANA`** ## **`PETITIONER/ACCUSED:`** ``` GEORGE JACOB AGED 57 YEARS, S/O CHACKO, VALIYAPADINJARETHIL HOUSE, KATTAPPANA SOUTH P.O., KATTAPPANA VILLAGE, IDUKKI TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT, PIN – 685515 ``` ``` BY ADV VARGHESE C.KURIAKOSE ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/STATE & COMPLAINANT:`** ``` 1STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS, SECRETARIAT, TRIVANDRUM, PIN – 695001 ``` ``` 2BIJO P SEBASTIAN AGED 33 YEARS, S/O SEBASTIAN, PUTHUPARAMBIL HOUSE, VALIAYATHOVALA P.O., VALIYATHOVALA KARA, PAMPADUMPARA VILLAGE, UDUMBANCHOLA TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT- 685514 BY ADV. SMT. NIMA JACOB, PUBLIC PROSECUTOR ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 25.09.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).727/2022 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 5 # **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN MONDAY, THE 25[TH] DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 3RD ASWINA, 1945 ``` ``` OP(CRL.) NO. 729 OF 2022 ST 391/2021 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS , ``` ## **`KATTAPPANA`** ## **`PETITIONER/ACCUSED:`** ``` GEORGE JACOB AGED 57 YEARS, S/O CHACKO, VALIYAPADINJARETHIL HOUSE, KATTAPPANA SOUTH P.O., KATTAPPANA VILLAGE, IDUKKI TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT, PIN – 685515 ``` ``` BY ADV VARGHESE C.KURIAKOSE ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS/STATE & COMPLAINANT:`** ``` 1STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS, SECRETARIAT, TRIVANDRUM, PIN – 695001 ``` ``` 2J.S.A GEORGE AGED 65 YEARS, S/O LATE JOHN, VILAYIKATT HOUSE, KADAMAKUZHY P.O., VALLAKKADAVU KARA, IDUKKI TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT, PIN – 685515 ``` ``` BY ADV. SMT. NIMA JACOB, PUBLIC PROSECUTOR ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 25.09.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).727/2022 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 6 # **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN MONDAY, THE 25[TH] DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 3RD ASWINA, 1945 ``` ``` OP(CRL.) NO. 730 OF 2022 CC 863/2019 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS, ``` ## **`KATTAPPANA`** ## **`PETITIONER/ACCUSED:`** ``` GEORGE JACOB AGED 57 YEARS, S/O CHACKO, VALIYAPADINJARETHIL HOUSE, KATTAPPANA SOUTH P.O., KATTAPPANA VILLAGE, IDUKKI TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT, PIN – 685515 ``` ``` BY ADV VARGHESE C.KURIAKOSE ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/STATE & COMPLAINANT:`** ``` 1STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA ERNAKULAM KOCHI, PIN – 682031 ``` ``` 2MANJU SHYJIN AGED 30 YEARS, W/O SHYJIN CHACKO, KUNNEL HOUSE, KALTHOTTY KARA, KANCHIYAR VILLAGE, IDUKKI TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT, PIN – 685511 ``` ``` BY ADV. ``` ``` SMT. NIMA JACOB, PUBLIC PROSECUTOR ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 25.09.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).727/2022 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 7 # **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN MONDAY, THE 25[TH] DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 3RD ASWINA, 1945 ``` ``` OP(CRL.) NO. 731 OF 2022 CC 758/2018 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS , ``` ## **`KATTAPPANA`** ## **`PETITIONER/ACCUSED:`** ``` GEORGE JACOB AGED 57 YEARS, S/O CHACKO, VALIYAPADINJARETHIL HOUSE, KATTAPPANA SOUTH P.O., KATTAPPANA VILLAGE, IDUKKI TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT, PIN – 685515 ``` ``` BY ADV VARGHESE C.KURIAKOSE ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/STATE & COMPLAINANT:`** ``` 1STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA ERNAKULAM KOCHI, PIN – 682031 2THOMAS A.J AGED 58 YEARS, S/O JOSEPH, ANICKAMUNDAYIL HOUSE, KADAMAKUZHY P.O., KADAMAKUZHY KARA, KATTAPPANA VILLAGE, IDUKKI TALUK, PIN – 685558 ``` ``` BY ADV. SMT. NIMA JACOB, PUBLIC PROSECUTOR ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 25.09.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).727/2022 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 8 # **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN MONDAY, THE 25[TH] DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 3RD ASWINA, 1945 OP(CRL.) NO. 732 OF 2022 CC 204/2020 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS-1, ``` ## **`KATTAPPANA`** ## **`PETITIONER/ACCUSED:`** ``` GEORGE JACOB AGED 57 YEARS S/O CHACKO, VALIYAPADINJARETHIL HOUSE, KATTAPPANA SOUTH P.O., KATTAPPANA VILLAGE, IDUKKI TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT, PIN – 685515 ``` ``` BY ADV VARGHESE C.KURIAKOSE ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS/STATE & COMPLAINANT:`** ``` 1STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA ERNAKULAM KOCHI, PIN – 682031 ``` ``` 2MANJU SHYJIN AGED 30 YEARS, W/O SHYJIN CHACKO, KUNNEL HOUSE,KALTHOTTY KARA, KANCHIYAR VILLAGE, IDUKKI TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT, PIN – 685511 ``` ``` BY ADV. SMT. NIMA JACOB, PUBLIC PROSECUTOR ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 25.09.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).727/2022 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 9 # **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN MONDAY, THE 25[TH] DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 3RD ASWINA, 1945 OP(CRL.) NO. 733 OF 2022 ST 4/2022 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS -II, ``` ## **`KATTAPPANA`** ## **`PETITIONER/ACCUSED:`** ``` GEORGE JACOB AGED 57 YEARS S/O CHACKO, VALIYAPADINJARETHIL HOUSE, KATTAPPANA SOUTH P.O., KATTAPPANA VILLAGE, IDUKKI TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT, PIN – 685515 ``` ``` BY ADV VARGHESE C.KURIAKOSE ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS/STATE & COMPLAINANT:`** ``` 1STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA,ERNAKULAM KOCHI, PIN – 682031 ``` ``` 2GEORGE THOMAS AGED 54 YEARS,S/O LATE THOMAS, PAZHANILATHU HOUSE, KAMAKSHY P.O., NELLIPPARA KARA, THANKAMANY VILLAGE, IDUKKI TALUK, IDUKKI DISTRICT, PIN – 685515 ``` ``` BY ADV. SMT. NIMA JACOB, PUBLIC PROSECUTOR ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 25.09.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).727/2022 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 10 ## **P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN, J.** ## ----------------------------------------------- OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022, 730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022, 733/2022 -----------------------------------------------Dated this the 25[th] day of September, 2023 ## J U D G M E N T These original petitions are filed to keep in hold the complaints filed under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, till I.P No.3/2022 pending before the Sub Court, Kattappana is concluded. 2. When these original petitions came up for consideration, after arguing for some time, the counsel for the petitioners submitted that petitioners may be allowed to surrender before the court concerned and there may be a direction to consider the bail application on the same day. The petitioners apprehend that they will be remanded if they surrender before the trial court. 3. The petitioners submit that the petitioners are ready to surrender before the jurisdictional court and if they surrender ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 11 before the jurisdictional court, jurisdictional court may remand them without considering their bail application. 4. The Public Prosecutor submitted that no such apprehension is necessary and this court may not pass any direction to the lower court to release the petitioner on bail and that is a matter to be decided by the trial court. 5. This court in **Vineeth Somarajan @ Ambadi v. State of Kerala and another (2009 (3) KHC 471)** relied on the dictum laid down by another learned Single Judge in **Biju S. Praveen v. State of Kerala and Another (2007 (2) KLT 280)** considered this point. It will be better to extract the relevant portion of _**Vineeth Somarajan** 's_ case (supra). _“14. The apprehension of the petitioner is that if he appears before the Trial Court, he would be remanded to judicial custody. In Biju v. State of Kerala, 2007 KHC 3436 : 2007 (2) KLT 280 : 2007 (1) KLJ 713 : ILR 2007 (2) Ker. 26 : 2007 (1) KLD 486, Justice A. K. Basheer, after noticing the practice that is being followed by some learned Magistrates (vide paragraph 16) held at paragraph 18 thus:_ _'18. As mentioned earlier, Criminal Courts should always be careful while passing orders on bail applications which in effect deal with personal liberty. In cases where the Court decides to send an accused to custody pending_ ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 12 _trial, it must be ensured that the Court applies its mind judicially and judiciously with particular reference to the facts and circumstances of the case. The mere fact that the accused had failed to respond to a summons or that the Court had to issue non bailable warrant to compel his presence will not ipso facto empower the Criminal Court to remand the accused to custody as a punitive measure when he appears before the Court on his own volition or is produced in execution of the warrant. The bail application that may be moved on his behalf has to be considered and orders should be passed on the same day itself since personal liberty of an accused cannot be curtailed in a whimsical or disdainful manner.' I am in respectful agreement with the dictum laid down in Biju v. State of Kerala.”_ 6. In the light of the above dictum laid down by this court, I think the apprehension of the petitioners that the jurisdictional court will remand the accused without application of mind is unnecessary. Therefore, this Criminal Miscellaneous Case is disposed of with the following directions: 1) The petitioners shall surrender before the jurisdictional court within two weeks from today. If an application for bail with advance copy to the prosecutor concerned is filed at the time of surrender by the petitioners, the jurisdictional court shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders in accordance 13 ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` with law, ideally on the date of surrender itself. - 2) In order to enable the petitioners to appear before the court below, coercive proceedings pending against the petitioners shall be kept in abeyance for a period of two weeks. 3) All the contentions of the petitioners in this original petition are left open. Sd/- P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN, JUDGE sou. ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 14 ## **`APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 727/2022`** ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` EXHIBIT P1TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE COMPLAINT AS S.T.NO.3/2021 ON THE FILES JFCM-II KATTAPPANA DATED 01.11.2019 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P2TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P4TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE ORDER IN I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 15 ## **`APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 56/2023`** ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` EXHIBIT P1TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE COMPLAINT AS S.T.NO.204/2022 ON THE FILES JFCM DEVIKULAM DATED 05.03.2022 ``` - `EXHIBIT P2 TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.P.NO.1/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 08.03.2022` - `EXHIBIT P3 TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.1/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 08.03.2022` - `EXHIBIT P4 TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE ORDER IN I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.1/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 10.03.2022` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 16 ## **`APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 59/2023`** ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` EXHIBIT P1TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE COMPLAINT AS C.C.NO.9/2022ONTHEFILESJFCM-1 KOTHAMANGALAM DATED 19.11.2021 EXHIBIT P2TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.P.NO.1/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 08.03.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.1/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 08.03.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P4TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE ORDER IN I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.1/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 10.03.2022 ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 17 ## **`APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 728/2022`** ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` EXHIBIT P1TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE COMPLAINT AS C.C.NO.774/2019 ON THE FILES JFCM-1 KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2019 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P2TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P4TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE ORDER IN I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 18 ## **`APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 729/2022`** ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` EXHIBIT P1TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE COMPLAINT AS S.T.NO.391/2021 ON THE FILES JFCM-1 KATTAPPANA DATED 29.06.2021 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P2TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA 23.11.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P4TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE ORDER IN I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 19 ## **`APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 730/2022`** ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` EXHIBIT P1TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE COMPLAINT AS C.C.NO.863/2019 ON THE FILES JFCM-1 KATTAPPANA DATED 29.12.2019 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P2TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P4TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE ORDER IN I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 20 ## **`APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 731/2022`** ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` EXHIBIT P1TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE COMPLAINT AS C.C.NO.758/2018 ON THE FILES JFCM-1 KATTAPPANA DATED 12.09.2018 EXHIBIT P2TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P4TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE ORDER IN I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 21 ## **`APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 732/2022`** ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` EXHIBIT P1TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE COMPLAINT AS C.C.NO.204/2020 ON THE FILES JFCM-1 KATTAPPANA DATED 06.03.2020 EXHIBIT P2TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P4TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE ORDER IN I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` [OP(Crl.) Nos.727/2022, 56/2023, 59/2023, 728/2022, 729/2022,730/2022, 731/2022, 732/2022 & 733/2022] ``` 22 ## **`APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 733/2022`** ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` EXHIBIT P1TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE COMPLAINT AS S.T.NO.4/2022 ON THE FILES JFCM-II KATTAPPANA ``` ``` EXHIBIT P2TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P3TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ``` ``` EXHIBIT P4TRUE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE ORDER IN I.A.NO.1/2022 IN I.P.NO.3/2022 ON THE FILES OF SUB COURT KATTAPPANA DATED 23.11.2022 ```