High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeGranted regular bail to the accused in all six ...

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Case / Petition Number:BA No.272-278 of 2024
Neutral Citation:null

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • Sophy Thomas
Judgment Date
2024-01-29
Court Decision / Holding
The court granted regular bail to the sole accused in Crimes 1179/2023, 1180/2023, 1181/2023, 1182/2023, 1183/2023, and 1184/2023 of the Kozhikode Town Police Station, on specified conditions including bond amounts, sureties, reporting requirements, restrictions on school entry, no contact with victims, no witness tampering, surrender of passport, and restrictions on leaving Kerala, with power to cancel bail on violation.
Final Disposition
Granted regular bail to the accused in all six connected cases, under stated conditions.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • XXXXXXXXXX

Respondents

  • State of Kerala

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • P.K. Varghese
  • • M.T. Sameer
  • • K.R. Arun Krishnan
  • • Dhanesh V. Madhavan
  • • Jerry Mathew
  • • Reghu Sreedharan

Counsels for Respondents

  • • SR. Public Prosecutor - Sri. Vipin Narayan

Case Synopsis & Summary

These are regular bail applications under Section 439 CrPC filed by the sole accused in six separate cases registered at Kozhikode Town Police Station (Crimes 1179/2023, 1180/2023, 1181/2023, 1182/2023, 1183/2023 and 1184/2023) alleging sexual offences against minor girls and punishable under IPC 354(1)(i), the POCSO Act (Section 10 read with Section 9(f)) and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act. The High Court of Kerala, with Justice Sophy Thomas presiding, heard the petitions on 29 January 2024. The prosecution opposed grant of bail. The learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that the incidents occurred on 12.12.2023, the complaint was lodged on 18.12.2023 after a delay of six days, and the class consisted of 34 students of whom 12 were girls; it is improbable that the accused could have assaulted six girls in a single classroom on one day, and the petitioner has been in judicial custody since 20.12.2023; he is willing to comply with any conditions. The court noted the delay exists and expressed doubt about the number of victims, but found the investigation has progressed substantially and that the ends of justice require bail. It granted regular bail subject to conditions, including separate bonds of Rs. 50,000 with two sureties each, periodic reporting, restrictions on school entry, no contact with victims, no witness tampering, surrender of passport, and no travel outside Kerala without court permission, with a power to cancel on violation.

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)Section 354(1)(i) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)Section 10 read with Section 9(f) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act)Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • null

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioner’s counsel contended that although the alleged incident occurred on 12.12.2023, the complaint was lodged on 18.12.2023, indicating a delay of six days. The class involved had 34 students, including 12 girls; the defense argued that it is improbable that the accused could have assaulted six girls in a single classroom on one day, especially in the presence of other students. The petitioner has been in custody since 20.12.2023, and the defense argued that continued detention is not required for investigation; the petitioner is willing to comply with any conditions imposed by the court.

Contentions of Respondents

The Public Prosecutor opposed bail. While the specific arguments are not elaborated in the order, the opposition reflects the seriousness of the offences under IPC 354(1)(i), the POCSO Act, and related provisions, and the need to ensure victims’ safety and the integrity of the investigation.

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Extracted Judgment Text

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``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE SOPHY THOMAS MONDAY, THE 29 [ TH ] DAY OF JANUARY 2024 / 9TH MAGHA, 1945 BAIL APPL. NO. 272 OF 2024 ``` ``` CRIME NO.1179/2023 OF Kozhikode Town Police Station, Kozhikode ``` ## **`PETITIONER/ACCUSED:`** ``` XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX ``` ``` BY ADVS. P.K.VARGHESE M.T.SAMEER K.R.ARUN KRISHNAN DHANESH V.MADHAVAN JERRY MATHEW REGHU SREEDHARAN ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT:`** ``` STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031. ``` ``` SR.PUBLIC PROSECUTOR - SRI.VIPIN NARAYAN ``` ``` THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 29.01.2024, ALONG WITH B.A.No.275 OF 2024 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` B A No.272, 274, 275, 276, 277 & 278 of 2024 2 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE SOPHY THOMAS MONDAY, THE 29 [ TH ] DAY OF JANUARY 2024 / 9TH MAGHA, 1945 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO. 274 OF 2024 ``` ``` CRIME NO.1180/2023 OF Kozhikode Town Police Station, Kozhikode ``` ## **`PETITIONER/ACCUSED :`** ``` XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX ``` ``` BY ADVS. P.K.VARGHESE M.T.SAMEER K.R.ARUN KRISHNAN DHANESH V.MADHAVAN JERRY MATHEW REGHU SREEDHARAN ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT:`** ``` STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031 ``` ``` SR.PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SRI.VIPIN NARAYAN ``` ``` THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 29.01.2024, ALONG WITH B.A.No.272 OF 2024 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` B A No.272, 274, 275, 276, 277 & 278 of 2024 3 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE SOPHY THOMAS MONDAY, THE 29 [ TH ] DAY OF JANUARY 2024 / 9TH MAGHA, 1945 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO. 275 OF 2024 ``` ``` CRIME NO.1182/2023 OF Kozhikode Town Police Station, Kozhikode ``` ## **`PETITIONER/ACCUSED:`** ``` XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX ``` ``` BY ADVS. P.K.VARGHESE M.T.SAMEER K.R.ARUN KRISHNAN DHANESH V.MADHAVAN JERRY MATHEW REGHU SREEDHARAN ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT:`** ``` STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031. ``` ``` SR.PUBLIC PROSECUTOR - SRI.VIPIN NARAYAN ``` ``` THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 29.01.2024, ALONG WITH B.A.No.272 OF 2024 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` B A No.272, 274, 275, 276, 277 & 278 of 2024 4 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE SOPHY THOMAS MONDAY, THE 29 [ TH ] DAY OF JANUARY 2024 / 9TH MAGHA, 1945 BAIL APPL. NO. 276 OF 2024 ``` ``` CRIME NO.1181/2023 OF Kozhikode Town Police Station, Kozhikode ``` ## **`PETITIONER/ACCUSED:`** ``` XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX ``` ``` BY ADVS. P.K.VARGHESE M.T.SAMEER K.R.ARUN KRISHNAN DHANESH V.MADHAVAN JERRY MATHEW REGHU SREEDHARAN ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT:`** ``` STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031. ``` ``` SR.PUBLIC PROSECUTOR - SRI.VIPIN NARAYAN ``` ``` THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 29.01.2024, ALONG WITH B.A.No.272 OF 2024 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` B A No.272, 274, 275, 276, 277 & 278 of 2024 5 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE SOPHY THOMAS MONDAY, THE 29 [ TH ] DAY OF JANUARY 2024 / 9TH MAGHA, 1945 ``` ## **`BAIL APPL. NO. 277 OF 2024`** ``` CRIME NO.1183/2023 OF Kozhikode Town Police Station, Kozhikode ``` ## **`PETITIONER/ACCUSED:`** ``` XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX ``` ``` BY ADVS. P.K.VARGHESE M.T.SAMEER K.R.ARUN KRISHNAN DHANESH V.MADHAVAN JERRY MATHEW REGHU SREEDHARAN ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT:`** ``` STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031. ``` ``` SR.PUBLIC PROSECUTOR - SRI.VIPIN NARAYAN ``` ``` THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 29.01.2024, ALONG WITH B.A.No.272 OF 2024 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` B A No.272, 274, 275, 276, 277 & 278 of 2024 6 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE SOPHY THOMAS MONDAY, THE 29 [ TH ] DAY OF JANUARY 2024 / 9TH MAGHA, 1945 ``` ## **`BAIL APPL. NO. 278 OF 2024`** ``` CRIME NO.1184/2023 OF Kozhikode Town Police Station, Kozhikode ``` ## **`PETITIONER/ACCUSED:`** ``` XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX ``` ``` BY ADVS. P.K.VARGHESE M.T.SAMEER K.R.ARUN KRISHNAN DHANESH V.MADHAVAN JERRY MATHEW REGHU SREEDHARAN ``` ## **`RESPONDENT/COMPLAINANT:`** ``` STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031. ``` ``` SR.PUBLIC PROSECUTOR - SRI.VIPIN NARAYAN ``` ``` THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 29.01.2024, ALONG WITH B.A.No.272 OF 2024 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` B A No.272, 274, 275, 276, 277 & 278 of 2024 7 ## **ORDER** These are applications for regular bail under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure filed by the sole accused in Crime Nos.1179 of 2023, 1180 of 2023, 1182 of 2023, 1181 of 2023, 1183 of 2023 and 1184 of 2023 respectively of Town Police Station, Kozhikode District, registered under Sections 354(1)(i) of Indian Penal Code, Section 10 read with Section 9(f) of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and Section 75 of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. 2. The prosecution allegation is that on 12.12.2023, between 11.20 a.m. and 12.00 Noon, the petitioner, who was the Drawing Teacher of Himayathul Islam School, sexually assaulted the victim girls, who were his students in Vth Standard, outraged their modesty, by touching their private parts. 3. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned Public Prosecutor. 4. Learned Public Prosecutor opposed the bail applications. B A No.272, 274, 275, 276, 277 & 278 of 2024 8 5. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that though the alleged incident occurred on 12.12.2023, the complaint was lodged by all the victims only on 18.12.2023 with a delay of six days. The strength of that class was 34 and there were 12 girl students in that class. So there was no probability for the petitioner to sexually assault six girl students in that class room, on a single day in presence of other students. The petitioner is in judicial custody since 20.12.2023 and his continued detention is not needed for the purpose of investigation. He is ready to abide by any conditions imposed by this Court. 6. It is true that there is a delay of six days in making the complaint by the victim girls. Moreover, the allegation that on the same day, the petitioner sexually assaulted six girl students of the same class also seems doubtful. The petitioner is in judicial custody from 20.12.2023 and the investigation has progressed substantially. So this Court is inclined to release the petitioner on bail in Crime Nos.1179 of 2023, 1180 of 2023, 1182 of 2023, 1181 of 2023, 1183 of 2023 and 1184 of 2023 of Town Police Station, Kozhikode B A No.272, 274, 275, 276, 277 & 278 of 2024 9 ## District, on the following terms: **i.** The petitioner shall be released on bail on executing separate bonds for Rs.50,000/(Rupees Fifty Thousand only) with two solvent sureties each for the like sum in Crime Nos.1179 of 2023, 1180 of 2023, 1182 of 2023, 1181 of 2023, 1183 of 2023 and 1184 of 2023 of Town Police Station, Kozhikode District, to the satisfaction of the trial court. **ii.** The petitioner shall report before the investigating officer, on alternate Saturdays, starting from 02.02.2024, between 10.00 am and 11.00 am for a period of three months or till the final report is filed, whichever is earlier. **iii.** The petitioner shall not enter the limits of Hidayathul Islam School for a period of three months or till the investigation is over, whichever is earlier. **iv.** The petitioner shall not try to contact the victim girls or their family members and shall not influence or intimidate them, either directly or indirectly. **v.** The petitioner shall not influence or intimidate the witnesses and shall not tamper with the investigation. **vi.** The petitioner has to surrender his B A No.272, 274, 275, 276, 277 & 278 of 2024 10 passport before the trial court at the time of executing bond and if he is not having a passport, he has to file an affidavit to that effect before the trial court. **vii.** The petitioner shall not leave the limits of State of Kerala without getting prior sanction from the trial court. **viii.** The petitioner shall not commit any offence while on bail. **ix.** In case of violation of any of these conditions, the trial court is empowered to cancel his bail, in accordance with law. Sd/- **SOPHY THOMAS, JUDGE** ``` DSV/- ``` B A No.272, 274, 275, 276, 277 & 278 of 2024 11 ## **`APPENDIX OF BAIL APPL. 272/2024`** ``` PETITIONER’S ANNEXURES : ``` ``` Annexure-I A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 08.01.2024 IN CRL.M.C NO. 617/2023 OF THE ADDITIONAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS FOR THE TRIAL OF CASES RELATING TO ATROCITIES & SEXUAL VIOLENCE TOWARDS WOMEN & CHILDREN, KOZHIKODE. ``` ``` RESPONDENT’S ANNEXURES : NIL ``` B A No.272, 274, 275, 276, 277 & 278 of 2024 12 ## **`APPENDIX OF BAIL APPL. 274/2024`** ``` PETITIONER’S ANNEXURES : ``` ## **`Annexure-I`** ``` A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 08.01.2024 IN CRL.M.C NO. 616/2023 OF THE ADDITIONAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS FOR THE TRIAL OF CASES RELATING TO ATROCITIES & SEXUAL VIOLENCE TOWARDS WOMEN & CHILDREN, KOZHIKODE. ``` ``` RESPONDENT’S ANNEXURES : NIL ``` B A No.272, 274, 275, 276, 277 & 278 of 2024 13 ## **`APPENDIX OF BAIL APPL. 275/2024`** ``` PETITIONER’S ANNEXURES : ``` ``` Annexure -I A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 08.01.2024 IN CRL.M.C NO. 618/2023 OF THE ADDITIONAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS FOR THE TRIAL OF CASES RELATING TO ATROCITIES & SEXUAL VIOLENCE TOWARDS WOMEN & CHILDREN, KOZHIKODE. ``` ``` RESPONDENT’S ANNEXURES : NIL ``` B A No.272, 274, 275, 276, 277 & 278 of 2024 14 ## **`APPENDIX OF BAIL APPL. 276/2024`** ``` PETITIONER’S ANNEXURES : ``` ``` Annexure-I A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 08.01.2024 IN CRL.M.C NO. 619/2023 OF THE ADDITIONAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS FOR THE TRIAL OF CASES RELATING TO ATROCITIES & SEXUAL VIOLENCE TOWARDS WOMEN & CHILDREN, KOZHIKODE. ``` ``` RESPONDENT’S ANNEXURES : NIL ``` B A No.272, 274, 275, 276, 277 & 278 of 2024 15 ## **`APPENDIX OF BAIL APPL. 277/2024`** ## **`PETITIONER’S ANNEXURES :`** ``` Annexure-I A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 08.01.2024 IN CRL.M.C NO. 620/2023 OF THE ADDITIONAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS FOR THE TRIAL OF CASES RELATING TO ATROCITIES & SEXUAL VIOLENCE TOWARDS WOMEN & CHILDREN, KOZHIKODE IS PRODUCED HEREWITH AND MARKED AS ANNEXURE - I ``` ## **`RESPONDENT’S ANNEXURES : NIL`** B A No.272, 274, 275, 276, 277 & 278 of 2024 16 ## **`APPENDIX OF BAIL APPL. 278/2024`** ## **`PETITIONER’S ANNEXURES`** ``` Annexure -I A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 08.01.2024 IN CRL.M.C NO. 621/2023 OF THE ADDITIONAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS FOR THE TRIAL OF CASES RELATING TO ATROCITIES & SEXUAL VIOLENCE TOWARDS WOMEN & CHILDREN, KOZHIKODE. ``` ## **`RESPONDENT’S ANNEXURES : NIL`**