High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeBail granted/Applications allowed

In the High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam - Bail Applications Nos. 808/2019, 900/2019, 1018/2019 and 1089/2019 (Crime No. 57/2019, Hosdurg P.S., Kasaragod)

Case / Petition Number:BAIL APPL. NO. 808/2019; 900/2019; 1018/2019; 1089/2019

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • Raja Vijayaraghavan V
Judgment Date
2019-02-13
Court Decision / Holding
The Applications are allowed. For BA No. 1089 of 2019 and BA No. 808 of 2019 (involving juveniles), the accused shall be released on bail on execution of a bond for Rs. 25,000 each with two sureties, with parental or close relative ensuring appearance before the Juvenile Justice Board as required. For BA Nos. 900 of 2019 and 1018 of 2019 (adult or not-classified as juveniles), the accused shall be released on bail on a bond of Rs. 40,000 with two solvent sureties each and similar parental/near-relative sureties, subject to conditions: (i) cooperation with investigation and appearance before the Investigating Officer; (ii) not inducing or threatening witnesses; (iii) not committing any similar offence while on bail. The Registry is directed to mask the applicants’ names in the title.
Final Disposition
Bail granted/Applications allowed

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Shakeel Ahamed
  • Ahadil Jameen
  • Muhammed Suhail
  • Muhammed Marzooq

Respondents

  • State of Kerala represented by Public Prosecutor, High Court of Kerala, Ernakulam
  • Dr. M.A. Abdul Hafeez, Manager, Iqbal Higher Secondary School, Ajanur, Kasaragod
  • Additional 2nd Respondent impleaded as per order dated 13.02.2019

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Sreeprakash K. Nair
  • • P. E. Sajal
  • • P. E. Sajal
  • • T. Madhhu
  • • P. V. Murughan

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Amjad Ali
  • • K. R. Avinash (Kunnath)
  • • (Additional 2nd Respondent - not named)

Case Synopsis & Summary

This is a consolidated bail petition matter before a single judge of the Kerala High Court under Section 438 Cr.P.C. arising from Crime No. 57 of 2019 registered at Hosdurg Police Station, Kasaragod, involving four accused in a school-related incident on 21.01.2019. The petitions, Bail Applications Nos. 808/2019, 900/2019, 1018/2019 and 1089/2019, seek pre-arrest or anticipatory bail for the accused, three of whom are or include juveniles in conflict with law. The allegations concern formation of an unlawful assembly, wrongful restraint of de facto complainant and two friends, assault, threats, and property damage to the school amounting to about Rs. 10,000, with some injuries to victims. The defence contends the incident was a minor quarrel during a farewell party attended by Plus Two students and that ragging charges lack substance; it emphasizes that arrest would derail the accuseds’ imminent examinations and future careers. Citing X v. State of Kerala (2018(3) KHC 223), the court is urged to recognize that anticipatory bail by a child in conflict with law is maintainable. The state counters that the acts warranted investigation and arrest, pointing to wound certificates and injury. The judge notes the lack of serious injuries and absence of prior crimes against the applicants, and holds that custodial interrogation is unnecessary for investigation in these circumstances. Ultimately, bail is granted subject to specified bonds, sureties, appearances, and conditions, including maintaining cooperation and refraining from similar offences; names are to be masked in the title.

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 438 of the Cr.P.C.Sections 143, 147, 323, 324 read with 149 IPCSection 4 of the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998Section 3(1) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Anticipatory bail by a juvenile in conflict with law is maintainable (as per X v. State of Kerala, 2018(3) KHC 223).
  • Custodial interrogation is not necessary where the investigation can proceed effectively without it, especially when injuries are not serious and there is no prior criminal history.

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners’ counsel submitted that two of the applicants are juveniles and the alleged ragging allegations are unfounded; the incident stemmed from a minor quarrel during a farewell party at school. They argued that there is no basis for claiming serious injuries or criminal history; the wound certificates do not show grave harm; the Plus Two examinations are near, and arrest would derail the students’ education and future. They relied on X v. State of Kerala (2018(3) KHC 223) to support the maintainability of anticipatory bail for juveniles and urged that custodial interrogation is unnecessary in view of the limited nature of the case and lack of other offences.

Contentions of Respondents

The state counsel opposed bail, highlighting the alleged unlawful assembly, restraint, assault, threats, and school property damage (Rs. 10,000). They argued that the acts warranted investigation with possible custodial inquiry, and that some accused were previously warned by the District Legal Services Authority. The prosecution pointed to injuries and the need for a robust investigation, asserting that bail should not undermine public interest and school functioning.

Cited Precedents (1)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
X v. State of Kerala2018(3) KHC 223PositiveCited and applied to support the maintainability of anticipatory bail for a juvenile in conflict with law.

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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 RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V** **WEDNESDAY, THE 13TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2019 / 24TH MAGHA, 1940** ## **Bail Appl..No. 808 of 2019** **CRIME NO. 57/2019 OF HOSDURG POLICE STATION, KASARAGOD DISTRICT** ## **PETITIONERS/ACCUSED 4, 7 AND 11:** **1 SHAKEEL AHAMED, AGED 17 YEARS, (MINOR) S/O.P.MUHAMMED KUNHI, PATTILATH HOUSE, NEAR GUPS., HOSDURG BECH, KANHANGAD, HOSDURG, KASARAGOD DISTRICT-671315, (REPRESENTED BY HIS FATHER P.MUHAMMED KUNHI). 2 MOHAMMED AJMAL, AGED 17 YEARS, S/O.JAMEELA.C.P.A.HOUSE, KOLAVAYAL, HOSDURG, KASARAGOD DISTRICT-671531. (REPRESENTED BY HIS MOTHER JAMEELA C.) 3 MOHAMMED SAFWAN.B., AGED 17 YEARS, S/O.KUNHAMMED., AL NOOR, KOLAVAYAL, HOSDURG, KASARAGOD DISTRICT-671531. (REPRESENTED BY HIS FATHER KUNHAMMED B).** **BY ADV. SRI.SREEPRAKASH K.NAIR** ## **RESPONDENTS/COMPLAINANT:** - **1 STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KEARALA, ERNAKULAM-682031.** - 2 DR.M.A.ABDUL HAFEEZ, AGED 61 YEARS, S/O. DR.M.A.AHAMED, MANAGER, IQBAL HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL, AJANUR, KOLAVALYAL P.O., KASARAGOD.** ****ADDITIONAL 2ND RESPONDENT IS IMPLEADED AS PER ORDER DATED 13.02.2019 IN CRL.M.A. NO.1 OF 2019.** - **R2 BY ADV. SRI.K.R.AVINASH (KUNNATH) R1 BY SR. PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SRI.AMJAD ALI** **THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 13.02.2019, ALONG WITH B.A. NO.900/2019 & OTHER CONTD. CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING:** B.As.808, 900, 1018 & 1089/2019 2 ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V** **WEDNESDAY, THE 13TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2019 / 24TH MAGHA, 1940** **Bail Appl..No. 900 of 2019** **CRIME NO. 57/2019 OF HOSDURG POLICE STATION, KASARAGOD DISTRICT** ## **PETITIONERS/ACCUSED:** - **1 AHADIL JAMEEN, AGED 18 YEARS, S/O. ABDUL RAHIMAN, UDUMA, PADINHAR P.O., PIN-671 319, KASARGOD** - **2 MUHAMMED JUNAID, S/O. MOIDU MAMMU, SHAMEEM MANZIL, MUTTUMTHALA P.O., KOLAVAYAL, KZARGOD** - **3 MUHAMMED SUHAIL, S/O. SALEEMEBRAHIM, SALEEM MANZIL, KUSHAL NAGAR P.O., KAZARGOD** **BY ADV. SRI.P.E.SAJAL** ## **RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT:** **STATE OF KERALA, THROUGH S.I. OF POLICE, HOSDURG POLICE STATION, KASARGOD,REP.BY THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM,PIN-682 031.** ## **OTHER PRESENT:** **SRI. AMJAD ALI SR. PP.** **THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 13.02.2019, ALONG WITH Bail Appl..808/2019 & OTHER CONTD. CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING:** B.As.808, 900, 1018 & 1089/2019 3 ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V** **WEDNESDAY, THE 13TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2019 / 24TH MAGHA, 1940** **Bail Appl..No. 1018 of 2019** **CRIME NO. 57/2019 OF HOSDURG POLICE STATION, KASARAGOD** ## **PETITIONER/ACCUSED:** **MUHAMMED MARZOOQ, AGED 18 YEARS, S/O.ABDULL AZIZ, KAKKOOHIL HOUSE, CENTER CHITHARI, CHITHARI.P.O,PIN-671319,KASARGOD.** **BY ADV. SRI.P.E.SAJAL** ## **RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT:** **STATE OF KERALA, THROUGH S.I.OF POLICE, HOSDURG POLICE STATION, KASARAGOD, REP.BY THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM, PIN-682031.** BY SR. PUBLIC PROSECUTOR M.R AMJAD ALI **THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 13.02.2019, ALONG WITH Bail Appl..808/2019 & OTHER CONTD. CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING:** B.As.808, 900, 1018 & 1089/2019 4 ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V WEDNESDAY, THE 13TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2019 / 24TH MAGHA, 1940** **Bail Appl..No. 1089 of 2019 CRIME NO. 57/2019 OF HOSDURG POLICE STATION, KASARAGOD** **PETITIONER/ACCUSED:** **MISHAB.M.P. S/O HARIS T.P. RESIDING AT SUBEH, ONAKILIVAYAL, NILESHWAR, NILESHWARAM, KASARAGOD DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY HIS FATHER AND NEXT FRIEND HARIS T.P. AGED 51 YEARS, S/O MOHAMMED KUNHI P, DO -DO** **BY ADVS. SRI.T.MADHU SRI.P.V.MURUGHAN** ## **RESPONDENT/S:** **THE STATE OF KERALA, THROUGH THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER, HOSDURG POLICE STATION, KASARAGOD DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM 682 031.** BY SR. PUBLIC PROSECUTOR M.R AMJAD ALI **THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 13.02.2019, ALONG WITH Bail Appl..808/2019 & OTHER CONTD. CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING:** B.As.808, 900, 1018 & 1089/2019 5 ## **ORDER** These applications are filed under Section 438 of the Cr.P.C. 2. The petitioners herein are the accused in Crime No.57 of 2019 registered at the Hosdurg Police Station under Sections 143, 147, 323, 324 r/w. Section 149 of the IPC, Section 4 of the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998 and under Section 3(1) of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. The applicants in B.A.Nos.808 & 1089 of 2019 are juveniles in conflict with law. 3. According to the prosecution, the applicants are Plus Two students of Iqbal Higher Secondary School, Ajanur Village, Hosdurg. On 21.1.2019 at about 12.45 p.m., the applicants are alleged to have formed themselves into an unlawful assembly and wrongfully restrained the de facto complainant and two of his friends, who are junior students of the said school. It is alleged that the applicants assaulted them with their hands and banged their heads on to an iron box. It is further alleged that the victims were threatened and were asked to refrain from wearing shoes and money was taken from their purse. It is also alleged that they caused damage to the school B.As.808, 900, 1018 & 1089/2019 6 property causing loss to the tune of Rs.10,000/-. 4. The learned counsel appearing for the applicants would contend that the 2[nd] accused, who is the applicant in B.A. No.1089/2019, and the applicants in B.A. No.808/2019 are juveniles. According to the learned counsel, on the date of the alleged incident, a fare-well party was organised in the school premises and a minor altercation had ensued between two groups of students. According to the learned counsel, the allegation that they had committed the offence of ragging is without any basis. According to the learned counsel, the Plus Two examination are about to start and if they are arrested and detained, their entire career will be spoiled. The learned counsel has also referred to the decision of this Court in **X v. State of Kerala** [2018(3) KHC 223] and it was contended that an application for pre-arrest bail by a child in conflict with law is perfectly maintainable. 5. The Manager of the School has filed an application seeking intervention. The learned counsel appearing for the Manager was permitted to advance arguments. It is submitted by the learned counsel that some of the applicants are trouble makers and against B.As.808, 900, 1018 & 1089/2019 7 them, complaints were filed before the District Legal Services Authority and they were warned. It is further submitted that by the acts of the applicants, substantial loss was caused to the school, which receives aid from the Government. It is further submitted that the applicants herein, have been threatening and intimidating the de facto complainant and his friends and sought for dismissal of the application. 6. The learned Public Prosecutor has opposed the prayer. He would make available the wound certificate of the victims and it was contended that the de facto complainant and his friends had suffered injuries consequent to the incident which took place on the fateful day. 7. I have considered the submissions advanced. This Court in **X v. State of Kerala** [2018(3) KHC 223] had occasion to hold that an anticipatory bail preferred by a juvenile in conflict with law is maintainable. On going through the records, it appears that on 21.1.2019, an incident had taken place in the School. The wound certificate does not reveal that any serious injuries were sustained. No other crimes are reported against the applicants, some of whom are juveniles. In the facts and circumstances, I am of the view that B.As.808, 900, 1018 & 1089/2019 8 the custodial interrogation of the applicants are not necessary for an effective investigation. 8. In the result, these applications are allowed: a) Insofar as the applicants in B.A.No.1089 of 2019 and 808 of 2019 are concerned, they shall be released on bail in the event of their apprehension / arrest by the police in Crime No. 57 of 2019 of the Hosdurg Police Station on execution of a bond for Rs.25,000/- (Rupees Twenty five thousand only) each by two sureties. The sureties shall be their parents or other close relatives. They shall appear before the Juvenile Justice Board concerned as and when they are called upon to do so. I direct the Registry to mask the name of the applicants in the cause title and instead describe the applicant as 'Mr.A, B, C etc.' b) Insofar as the applicants in B.A.Nos.900 of 2019 & 1018 of 2019 are concerned, in the event of their arrest in Crime No. 57 of 2019 of the Hosdurg Police Station, they shall be released on bail on their executing a bond for Rs.40,000/- (Rupees Forty thousand only) each with two B.As.808, 900, 1018 & 1089/2019 9 solvent sureties each for the like sum. The sureties shall be the parents or near relatives of the respective applicants. However, the above order shall be subject to the following conditions: (i) The applicants shall co-operate with the investigation and shall appear before the Investigating Officer as and when they are called upon to do so. ii) They 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/her from disclosing such facts to the court or to any police officer. iii) They shall not commit any similar offence while on bail. In case of violation of any of the above conditions, the jurisdictional Court shall be empowered to consider the application for cancellation, if any, and pass appropriate orders in accordance with the law. ## **SD/-** ## **RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V.,** ## **JUDGE** KRJ //TRUE COPY// P.A. TO JUDGE