High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeBail granted with stringent conditions as detai...

Remil Ramadas, Sobha Ramadas, Remya Ramadas, Bharat Surya & Ramadas T.S. v. State of Kerala and Vadanappally Police Station

Case / Petition Number:BAIL APPL. NO.4896 OF 2025
Neutral Citation:2025:KER:30889

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • P. V. Kunhikrishnan
Judgment Date
2025-04-09
Court Decision / Holding
The bail application is allowed. The petitioners shall appear before the Investigating Officer within two weeks, undergo interrogation, and if the IO proposes arrest, they shall be released on bail on executing a bond of Rs.50,000 with two solvent sureties for the like sum. Petitioners shall not leave India without court permission, shall not commit similar offences, shall cooperate with the investigation, and the other standard conditions; the court may recover material if necessary while bail is in force. If conditions are violated, bail can be canceled. The order underscores the overarching principle that bail is the rule and detention is the exception, aligning with established jurisprudence.
Final Disposition
Bail granted with stringent conditions as detailed in the order.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Remil Ramadas
  • Sobha Ramadas
  • Remya Ramadas
  • Bharat Surya
  • Ramadas T.S.

Respondents

  • State of Kerala represented by Public Prosecutor, High Court of Kerala
  • State of Kerala, Vadanappally Police Station, Thrissur Rural

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • M.R. Venugopal
  • • Dhanya P. Ashokan (Sr.)
  • • S. Muhammad Alikhan
  • • Anjana S. Raj

Counsels for Respondents

  • • G. Sudheer (Public Prosecutor)

Case Synopsis & Summary

This is a bail application under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) filed by five petitioners accused in Crime No. 320/2025 of the Vadanappally Police Station, Thrissur Rural. The petitioners face offences under sections 85, 115(2), 118(1), 351 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Snahita (BNS), 2023, which are matrimonial in nature. The prosecution asserts that the accused mentally and physically harassed the de facto complainant, and there are other matrimonial disputes pending between the parties. The High Court heard the matter and concluded that, given the facts and circumstances, the petitioners may be released on bail subject to stringent conditions. Relying on established bail jurisprudence, the court reiterates that bail is the rule and jail the exception, citing Chidambaram P. v. Directorate of Enforcement, Anzar Azeez v. State of Kerala, Siddharth v. State of Uttar Pradesh, and Manish Sisodia v. CBI, among others, to justify careful judicial oversight of pre-arrest and post-arrest conduct. The order notes that arrest should not be routine and that the court may impose conditions to safeguard the investigation and the rights of witnesses and victims. The petition is allowed with conditions: appearance before IO within two weeks, Rs.50,000 bond with two solvent sureties, cooperation with investigation, non-leave of India without permission, no commission of similar offences, and other protective measures. The decision is rendered by a Single Judge of the Kerala High Court (P.V. Kunhikrishnan, J.).

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)Sections 85, 115(2), 118(1), 351 and 3(5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Snahita (BNS), 2023

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Bail is the rule and jail is the exception.
  • Personal liberty and the right to a fair trial.
  • Arrest should not be routine; there must be justification for arrest.
  • Power to arrest vs. justification for exercise of it.
  • Co-operation with investigation and non-interference with witnesses.

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners sought bail on the grounds that the offences are matrimonial in nature and that there are ongoing matrimonial disputes, with no specific allegations of imminent danger or coercion beyond the matrimonial context. They urged that bail is a well-established rule in criminal jurisprudence, and insisted on reasonable conditions to ensure fair trial and the safety of witnesses while enabling them to participate in the investigation and protect their rights.[The order notes that the court considered the typical prerequisites for bail, including the nature of the offences, possibility of influencing witnesses, and the applicant's conduct, and concluded that strict conditions can balance the interests of justice.]

Contentions of Respondents

The State opposed unconditional bail, emphasizing the matrimonial nature of the offences, the need to protect witnesses, and the necessity to safeguard the integrity of the investigation. The prosecution argued that arrest and investigation should be conducted carefully to prevent any harassment, preserve evidence, and ensure that the accused comply with conditions if bail is granted.

Cited Precedents (6)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Chidambaram P. v. Directorate of Enforcement2019 (16) SCALE 870PositiveSupports the foundational bail principle that bail is the rule and detention is the exception.
Anzar Azeez v. State of Kerala2025 SCC OnLine KER 1260PositiveCourt cites this decision as laying down a principle applicable to the case.
Siddharth v. State of Uttar Pradesh and Another2021(5)KHC 353PositiveUsed to emphasize personal liberty and reasoned approach to bail in serious matters.
Manish Sisodia v. Central Bureau of Investigation2023 KHC 6961PositiveApex Court held that grave economic offences do not automatically bar bail.
Sushila Aggarwal v. State (NCT of Delhi) and another2020 (1) KHC 663PositiveAppropriate constraints in bail orders and respect for rights of parties.
Joginder Kumar v. State of UP and Others(1994) 4 SCC 260PositiveArrest should not be routine; distinction between power to arrest and justification.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

``` 2025:KER:30889 ``` **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ## **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** ## **`PRESENT`** ``` THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN ``` ``` WEDNESDAY, THE 9[TH] DAY OF APRIL 2025 / 19TH CHAITHRA, 1947 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO. 4896 OF 2025 ``` ``` CRIME NO.320/2025 OF Vadanappally Police Station, Thrissur ``` ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** - **`1 REMIL RAMADAS AGED 37 YEARS S/O. RAMADAS T.S., THAIPARAMBATH HOUSE , THRITHALLOOR, THRISSUR, PIN - 680619`** - **`2 SOBHA RAMADAS AGED 68 YEARS W/O. RAMADAS T.S., THAIPARAMBATH HOUSE, THRITHALLOOR, THRISSUR, PIN - 680619`** - **`3 REMYA RAMADAS AGED 45 YEARS D/O. RAMADAS T.S., BHARATHAM, KOKKATTIL HOUSE, KANIMANGALAM, THRISSUR, PIN - 680027`** - **`4 BHARAT SURYA AGED 23 YEARS S/O. REMYA RAMADAS, BHARATHAM, KOKKATTIL HOUSE, KANIMANGALAM, THRISSUR, PIN - 680027`** - **`5 RAMADAS T.S. AGED 74 YEARS THAIPARAMBATH HOUSE , THRITHALLOOR THRISSUR, PIN - 680619`** ``` BY ADVS. M.R.VENUGOPAL DHANYA P.ASHOKAN (SR.) S. MUHAMMAD ALIKHAN ANJANA S. RAJ ``` ``` 2025:KER:30889 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO.4896 OF 2025 ``` ``` 2 ``` **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ## **`RESPONDENT/S:`** - **`1 STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031`** - **`2 STATE OF KERALA VADANAPALLY POLICE STATION, THRISSUR RURAL, PIN - 682031`** ## **`PP- G SUDHEER`** ``` THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 09.04.2025, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO.4896 OF 2025 ``` **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:30889 ``` `3` **P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN, J -------------------------------B.A.No.4896 of 2025** **------------------------------Dated this the 09[th] day of April, 2025** ## **O R D E R** This Bail Application is filed under Section 482 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). 2. Petitioners are accused in Crime No.320/2025 of Vadanappally Police Station. The above case is registered against the petitioners alleging offences punishable under Sections 85, 115(2), 118(1), 351 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Snahita (BNS), 2023. 3. The prosecution case is that; the accused mentally and physically harassed the defacto complainant. 4. Heard. 5. Admittedly, the offences alleged are matrimonial in nature. There are other matrimonial disputes also pending between the parties. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, I think, the petitioners can be released on bail after imposing stringent conditions. **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:30889 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO.4896 OF 2025 ``` ``` 4 ``` 6. 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 has7. The observations and findings in this order is only for the purpose of deciding this bail application. The principle laid down by this Court in **Anzar Azeez v. State of Kerala** [2025 SCC OnLine KER 1260] is applicable in this case also. the opportunity of securing fair trial. 7. Recently the Apex Court in **Siddharth v State of Uttar Pradesh and Another [2021(5)KHC 353]** considered the point in detail. The relevant paragraph of the above judgment is extracted hereunder. “12. We may note that personal liberty is an important aspect of our constitutional mandate. The occasion to arrest an accused during investigation arises when custodial investigation bec7. The observations and findings in ``` 2025:KER:30889 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO.4896 OF 2025 ``` **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** `5` this order is only for the purpose of deciding this bail application. The principle laid down by this Court in **Anzar Azeez v. State of Kerala** [2025 SCC OnLine KER 1260] is applicable in this case also.omes necessary or it is a heinous crime or where there is a possibility of influencing the witnesses or accused may abscond. Merely because an arrest can be made because it is lawful does not mandate that arrest must be made. A distinction must be made between the existence of the power to arrest and the justification for exercise of it.7. The observations and findings in this order is only for the purpose of deciding this bail application. The principle laid down by this Court in **Anzar Azeez v. State of Kerala** [2025 SCC OnLine KER 1260] is applicable in this case also. (Joginder Kumar v. State of UP and Others (1994 KHC 189: (1994) 4 SCC 260: 1994 (1) KLT 919: 1994 (2) KLJ 97: AIR 1994 SC 1349: 1994 CriLJ 1981)) If arrest is made routine, it can cause incalculable harm to the reputation and self-esteem of a person. If the Investigating Officer has no reason to believe that the accused will abscond or disobey summons and has, in fact, throughout cooperated with the investigation we fail to appreciate why there should be a compulsion on the officer to arrest the accused.” ## 8. In **Manish Sisodia v. Central Bureau of** ## **Investigation [2023 KHC 6961]** , the Apex Court observed that even if the allegation is one of grave economic offence, it **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ``` 2025:KER:30889 ``` ``` BAIL APPL. NO.4896 OF 2025 ``` `6` is not a rule that bail should be denied in every case. Considering the dictum laid down in the above decision and considering the facts and circumstances of this case, this Bail Application is allowed with the following directions: 1. The petitioners shall appear before the Investigating Officer within two weeks from today and shall undergo interrogation. 2. After interrogation, if the Investigating Officer propose to arrest the petitioners, they shall be released on bail on executing a bond for a sum of Rs.50,000/-(Rupees Fifty Thousand only) with two solvent sureties each for the like sum to the satisfaction of the arresting officer concerned. 3. The petitioners shall appear before the Investigating Officer for interrogation as and when required. The petitioners shall **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ## `2025:KER:30889` ``` BAIL APPL. NO.4896 OF 2025 ``` `7` 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 her from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer. 4. Petitioners shall not leave India without permission of the jurisdictional Court. 5. Petitioners shall not commit an offence similar to the offence of which they are accused, or suspected, of the commission of which they are suspected. 6. Needless to mention, it would be well within the powers of the investigating officer to investigate the matter and, if necessary, to effect recoveries on the information, if any, given by the petitioners even while the petitioners are on bail as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in ``` 2025:KER:30889 ``` **==> picture [57 x 58] intentionally omitted <==** ``` BAIL APPL. NO.4896 OF 2025 ``` `8` **Sushila Aggarwal v. State (NCT of** **Delhi) and another** [2020 (1) KHC 663]. 7. The observations and findings in this order is only for the purpose of deciding this bail application. The principle laid down by this Court in **Anzar Azeez v. State of Kerala** [2025 SCC OnLine KER 1260] is applicable in this case also. 8. If any of the above conditions are violated by the petitioners, 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 any of the above conditions are violated. **Sd/-** ## **P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN, JUDGE** SSG