High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeBail granted to accused Nos.1–9 on specified co...

Lijesh K.P and others v. State of Kerala

Case / Petition Number:B.A.No.1371/2023

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • A. Badharudeen
Judgment Date
2023-03-01
Court Decision / Holding
The bail application is allowed. The petitioners/accused Nos.1 to 9 are granted regular bail on furnishing bonds of Rs.50,000 each with two solvent sureties of like amount. They are to forgo any intimidation or tampering with witnesses, cooperate with the investigation, remain available for trial, appear before the IO weekly for two months, refrain from leaving India without court permission, surrender any passports, and refrain from committing any other offense during the bail period. If any violation is detected, bail may be canceled.
Final Disposition
Bail granted to accused Nos.1–9 on specified conditions; matter disposed insofar as bail is concerned.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Lijesh K.P
  • Subeesh N.K
  • Shimith C.P
  • Chandramohan M.P
  • Rineesh K.P
  • Rajeesh K.P
  • Chandramani M.P
  • Jineesh K.M
  • Ashin M.P

Respondents

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

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Bonny Benny Vishnu Narayanan

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Senior Public Prosecutor Smt. T.V. Neema

Case Synopsis & Summary

This is a regular bail application (B.A. No. 1371/2023) filed by accused 1 to 9 in Crime No. 53/2023 of Panur Police Station, Kannur, under Section 439 Cr.P.C., before the Kerala High Court. The allegations arise from an incident on 16.01.2023, around 12:15 a.m., during the Champeth road festival near Panniyannur Koorumba temple, where accused 1–5 allegedly formed an unlawful assembly and attacked a person repairing temple lights with deadly weapons such as iron rods and sticks, resulting in serious injuries including fractures. The prosecution pleads offences under Sections 143, 147, 148, 341, 323, 324, 326 and 308 IPC r/w 149 IPC. The petitioners contend innocence, point to a counter case and note that a Sessions Court in CMP 858/2023/Crl.M.C. 78/2023 granted bail to some accused in a related case but refused bail to them. The court reviews the case diary and observes that the incident involved trespass on the complainant’s residence, use of various weapons, and injuries to multiple people. Although the investigation is at an early stage, the judge ultimately finds prima facie seriousness but imposes stringent conditions, including bond, sureties, non-interference with witnesses, regular reporting to the IO, and restrictions on leaving the country. The order culminates in a grant of regular bail to accused Nos.1–9 with specified conditions, signaling a controlled release during ongoing investigation.

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 439 Cr.P.C.Sections 143, 147, 148, 341, 323, 324, 326 and 308 IPC, r/w Section 149 IPC

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners submit that they are innocent and point to a counter case, highlighting that in CMP No. 858/2023 the Sessions Court granted bail to some co-accused in the related matter while rejecting bail for the petitioners. They contend that the investigation is at an early stage and request bail with protective conditions; they emphasize fundamental fairness and urge the Court to consider release on bail pending trial.

Contentions of Respondents

The State/the prosecution stresses the seriousness of the alleged offences, the formation of an unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapons, and the injuries caused to the complainant during a temple festival context. It also notes the accuseds’ prior antecedents and involvement in other cases, arguing that bail should be granted only with stringent conditions and with due regard to ongoing investigation and potential threats to witnesses or public order.

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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 A. BADHARUDEEN WEDNESDAY, THE 1[ST] DAY OF MARCH 2023 / 10TH PHALGUNA, 1944 BAIL APPL. NO. 1371 OF 2023** **AGAINST THE ORDER IN CMP 858/2023 OF ADDITIONAL CHIEF** ## **JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE,THALASSERY** **CRIME NO.53 OF 2023 OF PANUR POLICE STATION, KANNUR** ## **PETITIONERS/ACCUSED 1 TO 3 & 5 TO 10:** 1 LIJESH.K.P AGED 35 YEARS, S/O.RAJAN, KAVIL HOUSE, PANNYANNUR P.O, PANOOR, KANNUR DISTRICT, PIN – 670307. 2 SUBEESH.N.K S/O.NANU, AGED 35 YEARS, NALUKANDATHIL HOUSE, PANNYANNUR P.O, PANOOR, KANNUR DISTRICT, PIN – 670307. 3 SHIMITH.C.P S/O.SASEENDRAN, AGED 35 YEARS, SHIMNA NIVAS, PANNYANNUR P.O, PANOOR, KANNUR DISTRICT, PIN – 670307. 4 CHANDRAMOHAN.M.P S/O.ANANDAN, AGED 38 YEARS, MOTTAPARAMBATH HOUSE, PANNYANNUR P.O, PANOOR, KANNUR DISTRICT, PIN – 670307. 5 RINEESH.K.P. S/O.RAVEENDRAN.K.P, AGED 35 YEARS, CHATHADIYIL HOUSE, PANNYANNUR P.O, PANOOR, KANNUR DISTRICT, PIN – 670307. 6 RAJEESH.K.P, S/O.KRISHNAN.K.P, AGED 31 YEARS, KIZHAKKEPURAYINTAVIDA HOUSE, PANNYANNUR P.O, PANOOR, KANNUR DISTRICT., PIN – 670307. B.A.No.1371/2023 2 7 CHANDRAMANI.M.P, S/O.ANANDAN, AGED 40 YEARS, ADWAITH, PANNYANNUR P.O, PANOOR, KANNUR DISTRICT, PIN – 670307. 8 JINEESH.K.M S/O. PURUSHOTHAMAN, AGED 31 YEARS, KANDAMBATH MEETHAL HOUSE, PANNYANNUR P.O, PANOOR, KANNUR DISTRICT, PIN – 670307. 9 ASHIN.M.P S/O.RAGHAVAN, AGED 27 YEARS, MOTTAPPARAMBATH HOUSE, PANNYANNUR P.O, PANOOR, KANNUR DISTRICT, PIN – 670307. BY ADVS. BONNY BENNY VISHNU NARAYANAN ## **RESPONDENTS/STATE:** 1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN – 682031. 2 STATION HOUSE OFFICER PANOOR POLICE STATION KANNUR DISTRICT, PIN – 670307. BY SENIOR PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SMT. T.V.NEEMA THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 22.02.2023, THE COURT ON 01.03.2023 DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: B.A.No.1371/2023 3 ## _**A. BADHARUDEEN, J.**_ _**================================**_ _B.A.No.1371 of 2023_ _================================ Dated this the 1st day of March, 2023_ ## _**O R D E R**_ This is an application for regular bail filed by the petitioners, who are accused Nos.1 to 9 in Crime No.53/23 of Panur Police Station, Kannur, under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (hereinafter referred to as `Cr.P.C' for short). **==> picture [36 x 56] intentionally omitted <==** 2. Heard both sides and perused the case diary as such. 3. The prosecution case is that at 12.15 a.m on 16.01.2023, accused No.1 to 5, formed themselves into an unlawful assembly, armed with dangerous weapons like iron rod, stick etc. with intention to commit culpable homicide not amounting to murder and physically assaulted the defacto complainant with such intention, who was repairing the tube lights B.A.No.1371/2023 4 at Champeth road in connection with the Panniyannur Koorumbakkavu Temple festival. The specific allegation is that the accused hit the defacto complainant with iron rods, sticks etc. and thereby caused very serious injuries to him. The prosecution allegation further is that though the defacto complainant survived, he sustained very serious injuries including fracture. Thus the accused alleged to have committed the offence punishable under Sections 143, 147, 148, 341, 323, 324, 326 and 308 IPC r/w Sec. 149 IPC. 4. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioners that the petitioners are innocent and counter case was also registered in this occurrence and the learned Sessions Judge granted bail to the accused in the said case, while refusing bail to the petitioners, as per order in Crl.M.C.No.78/2023 dated 24.01.2023. 5. On perusal of the case diary, it would appear that accused Nos.1 to 9 in this crime attempted to commit culpable homicide of B.A.No.1371/2023 5 the defacto complainant, thereby he was attacked and caused fatal injuries in their attempt to do so, after forming into unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapons. The wound certificate available as that of one Aneesh would go to show that Aneesh sustained lacerated wound 6 X 4 X 4 cm left side of parietal scalp and contusion 2 X 2 cm over back of left side. In the wound certificate of Siljith, another injured also, some injuries were noted as under: “Contusion 3 X 3 cm (L) shoulder with restricted RoM, depressed nasal bone deformity (L) side, Contusion (L) thumb nail, contusion 2 X 2 cm over (R) finger.” 6. Thus the prosecution allegation is well made out in this case. That apart, it is reported by the learned Public Prosecutor that the occurrence is in connection with the festival of Koorumba temple. Further the prosecution records would go to show that 1st accused had used billhook, accused No.3 used iron pipe, accused Nos.4 to 7 used wooden stick and attempted to commit culpable B.A.No.1371/2023 6 homicide of the defacto complainant. 7. It is relevant to note that attack was after trespassing upon the house of the defacto complainant. In the report it is stated that the petitioners had involved in 2 more crimes, viz. Crime No.55/2023 alleging commission of offences punishable under Sections 143, 147, 148, 341, 332, 324, 353, 294(b) r/w 149 of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter referred to as `IPC' for short) and Crime No.120/2023, alleging commission of offences punishable under Sections 143, 147, 148, 447, 341, 323, 354, 294(b) r/w 149 IPC. In Crime No.120/2023, the 1st and 3rd accused are the accused. It is also reported that accused Nos.3 and 5 are persons having criminal antecedents and they have involvement in Crime No.448/2011 of Panoor Police Station alleging commission of offences punishable under Sections 143, 147, 148, 323, 324 r/w 149 IPC. Thus it appears that complicity of the petitioners in this occurrence to commit culpable homicide of the defacto complainant after trespassing upon the residence of the defacto B.A.No.1371/2023 7 . complainant using deadly weapons is well made out, _prima facie_ Investigation is at the primitive stage. Since the petitioners were arrested on 20.01.2023 and have been in custody thereafter, on appraisal of the progress of the investigation, I am inclined to release them on bail by imposing stringent conditions and one among such conditions is that the petitioners/accused shall not involve in any other offence during the currency of bail and any such event, if reported or came to the notice of this Court, the same shall be a reason to cancel the bail hereby granted. 8. Accordingly, the petition stands allowed and the petitioner can be released on bail on the following conditions: i. Accused/petitioners shall be released on bail on their executing bond for Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand Only) each with two solvent sureties each for the like amount to the satisfaction of the jurisdictional court concerned. ii. Accused/petitioners shall not intimidate the witnesses or tamper with evidence. They shall co-operate with the investigation ## B.A.No.1371/2023 8 and shall be available for trial. They shall visit the Investigating Officer on every Monday in between 9 a.m and 12 noon for a period of two months and also appear before the Investigating Officer as and when directed. iii. Accused/petitioners shall not leave India without prior permission of the jurisdictional court. iv. The petitioners shall surrender their passport, if any, within 7 days from the date of their release, before the trial court. If they have no passports, they shall file an affidavit in this regard on the date of execution of the bond or within 3 days thereafter. v. Accused/petitioners shall not involve in any other offence during the currency of bail and any such event, if reported or came to the notice of this Court, the same shall be a reason to cancel the bail hereby granted. _Sd/-_ ## _**(A. BADHARUDEEN, JUDGE)**_ _rtr/_ B.A.No.1371/2023 9 ## **APPENDIX OF BAIL APPL. 1371/2023** PETITIONERS' ANNEXURES Annexure A1 THE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE FIR NO.52/2023 OF PANOOR POLICE STATION, KANNUR DISTRICT DATED 16.1.2023. Annexure A2 THE PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE FIR NO. 53/2023 OF PANOOR POLICE STATION, KANNUR DISTRICT DATED 16.1.2023. Annexure A3 PHOTOSTAT COPY OF THE ACCIDENT CUM WOUND CERTIFICATE OF INDIRA GANDHI COOPERATIVE HOSPITAL DATED 16.01.2023. Annexure A4 THE CERTIFIED COPY OF THE ORDER IN CRL.M.C. NO.78/2023 OF THE COURT OF SESSION, THALASSERY DATED 24.01.2023. Annexure A5 THE CERTIFIED COPY OF THE ORDER IN CMP NO.858/2023 BEFORE THE ADDITIONAL CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE THALASSERY DATED 10.2.2023.