High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeBail applications allowed; petitioners Shameer ...

Shameer K. v. State of Kerala

Case / Petition Number:4096/2024 & 4062/2024
Neutral Citation:null

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • C.S.Dias
Judgment Date
2024-06-10
Court Decision / Holding
The applications are allowed. The petitioners are directed to be released on bail on a bond of Rs. 50,000 with two solvent sureties each, subject to conditions: (i) appearance before the Investigating Officer every Saturday 9–11 a.m.; (ii) no inducement or tampering with witnesses; (iii) no offence during bail; (iv) surrender of passports, if any; (v) power to cancel bail for violation; (vi) modification/deletion of bail conditions by the court below; (vii) COI may continue investigation and effect recoveries as directed by the Supreme Court in Sushila Aggarwal.”
Final Disposition
Bail applications allowed; petitioners Shameer K and Anwar granted bail with bonds and conditions as listed; investigation may continue; case disposed of via grant of bail.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • Shameer K
  • Anwar

Respondents

  • State of Kerala
  • Anas

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Basil Chandy Vavachan
  • • Charutha BhaiJu Chandhana BhaiJu
  • • Basil Sajan
  • • Fathim Navas
  • • Kavya P.R.
  • • Lekshmi Priya V.
  • • Basil Scaria

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Georgie Simon
  • • Smt.Seetha S.

Case Synopsis & Summary

This is a common order on two bail applications (Bail Appl. Nos. 4096/2024 and 4062/2024) arising from Crime No. 621/2024 of Kayamkulam Police Station, Alappuzha. The petitioners, Shameer K. and Anwar, were charged for offences under Sections 447 and 307 read with Section 34 IPC. They were arrested on 07.05.2024 and sought bail under Section 439 CrPC. The prosecution case alleges a joint entry into the defacto complainant’s premises, where the 3rd accused handed a sword stick to the 1st accused, who inflicted injuries to the complainant’s right hand with an intent to kill. The petitioner’s counsel argued innocence, noting that the 1st accused caused the injuries and that the petitioners have been in custody for over a month with investigation largely complete and recovery effected. The de facto complainant supported settlement with the 2nd accused (Annexure-3) and expressed no grievance against the 2nd accused. The court relied on the legal principle that bail is the rule and jail is exception (Dataram Singh) and emphasized Article 21 protections. The court ultimately allowed both applications, releasing the petitioners on bail with Rs. 50,000 bond and two solvent sureties each, subject to standard conditions and power to cancel on violation, while noting that investigation could continue under Sushila Aggarwal guidance."

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973Section 447 IPCSection 307 r/w Section 34 IPCCrPC, 1973Article 21, Constitution of India

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

  • Bail is the rule and jail is the exception (Dataram Singh v. State of U.P.)
  • Right to bail cannot be denied merely due to sentiments of society
  • Right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution of India
  • Sushila Aggarwal v. State (NCT of Delhi) and another (2020 (1) KHC 663) guidance on continuance of investigation during bail

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

Shameer K and Anwar contended that they are innocent; the 1st accused is alleged to have caused grievous injuries, not the petitioners. They submitted that they have already spent about a month in judicial custody, investigation is substantially complete, and weapon recovery has been effected. Annexure-3 affidavits show amicable settlement with the defacto complainant against the 2nd accused, reducing likelihood of ongoing hostility. Relying on Dataram Singh and Article 21, they urged the court to grant bail with appropriate conditions rather than continued detention, asserting no immediate risk of witness tampering given the settlement and in light of the stage of investigation.

Contentions of Respondents

The State, represented by the Public Prosecutor and the defacto complainant, argued that the offence is serious (Sections 447 and 307 IPC) with the real risk of intimidation or tampering with witnesses if released. Investigation was described as in progress, with recovery already made, and apprehensions persisted about possible interference. Although a settlement with the 2nd accused existed, the prosecution insisted that the gravity of the charges against the 1st and 3rd accused warrants caution and that bail should not be routinely granted pending the completion of investigation.

Cited Precedents (2)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Dataram Singh v. State of U.P.(2018) 3 SCC 22PositiveCited to explain bail as a general rule and jail as an exception under Article 21.
Sushila Aggarwal v. State (NCT of Delhi) and another2020 (1) KHC 663PositiveCited to justify continuing investigations and possible action even while on bail as per Supreme Court guidance.

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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 C.S.DIAS** **MONDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JUNE 2024 / 20TH JYAISHTA, 1946** **BAIL APPL. NO. 4096 OF 2024** **CRIME NO.621/2024 OF Kayamkulam Police Station, Alappuzha PETITIONER/S:** **SHAMEER K ,AGED 33 YEARS C/O KUNJUMON, PUTHENPURAYIL PADEETTATHIL, KAYAMKULAM, ALAPPUZHA, PIN - 690502** **BY ADVS. BASIL CHANDY VAVACHAN CHARUTHA BHAIJU CHANDHANA BHAIJU BASIL SAJAN FATHIM NAVAS KAVYA P.R. LEKSHMI PRIYA V. BASIL SCARIA** ## **RESPONDENT/S:** - **1 STATE OF KERALA,REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN - 682031** - **2 ANAS,S/O ASHARAF, MANNASSERIL THARAYIL, ERUVA MURI, PATHIYOOR, ALAPPUZHA ( SOUGHT TO BE IMPLEADED )** **BY ADVS. No Advocate GEORGIE SIMON** ## **OTHER PRESENT:** ## **SR PP SMT NEEMA T V** **THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.06.2024, ALONG WITH Bail Appl..4062/2024, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** BAIL APPL. NO. 4096 & 4062 OF 2024 2 ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.S.DIAS** **MONDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JUNE 2024 / 20TH JYAISHTA, 1946 BAIL APPL. NO. 4062 OF 2024** **CRIME NO.621/2024 OF Kayamkulam Police Station, Alappuzha PETITIONER/S:** **ANWAR, AGED 25 YEARS S/O NAZAR, EDAYILE HOUSE, KEERIKKAD VILLAGE, VERUVALLI BHAGOM MURIYIL, KAYAMKULAM, PIN - 690502** **BY ADVS. BASIL CHANDY VAVACHAN CHARUTHA BHAIJU CHANDHANA BHAIJU BASIL SAJAN FATHIM NAVAS KAVYA P.R. LEKSHMI PRIYA V. BASIL SCARIA** ## **RESPONDENT/S:** **STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,HIGH COURT OF KERALA, PIN – 682031** **SR.PP.SMT.SEETHA S.** **THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.06.2024, ALONG WITH Bail Appl..4096/2024, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** BAIL APPL. NO. 4096 & 4062 OF 2024 3 ## **COMMON ORDER** The applications are filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, by the accused 2 and 3 in Crime No.621/2024 of the Kayamkulam Police Station, Alappuzha, registered against the accused (four in number) for allegedly committing the offences punishable under Sections 447 and 307 r/w Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code( in short, 'IPC'). The petitioners were arrested on 07.05.2024. B.A.No.4096/2024 is filed by the 2[nd] accused and B.A.No.4062/2024 is filed by the 3[rd] accused. Since the applications arise out of the same crime, they are consolidated, jointly heard and are being disposed of by this common order. 2. The prosecution case in brief is that: on 05.05.2024, at around 22 hours, the accused 1 to 4, in furtherance of their common intention to kill the defacto complainant, had forcefully entered the premises of the defacto complainant and the 3[rd] accused handed over a BAIL APPL. NO. 4096 & 4062 OF 2024 4 sword stick to the 1[st] accused, who repeatedly attacked the defacto complainant and caused injuries to the right side of his hand with an intention to kill him. Thus, the accused have committed the above offences. 3. Heard; Sri.Basil Chandy Vavachan, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, Smt.Neema T.V. and Smt.Seetha S., the learned Public Prosecutors and Sri.Georgei Simon, the learned counsel appearing for the additional 2[nd ] respondent/defacto complainant. 4. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners are totally innocent of the accusations leveled against them. A reading of the Annexure-1 FIR would substantiate that it was the 1[st] accused who inflicted the serious injuries on the defacto complainant. The petitioners have been in judicial custody for the last more than one month, the investigation in the case is practically complete and recovery has been effected. BAIL APPL. NO. 4096 & 4062 OF 2024 **==> picture [7 x 9] intentionally omitted <==** Moreover, the defacto complainant/additional 2[nd] respondent has sworn Annexure-3 affidavit stating that he has no subsisting grievance against the 2[nd] accused. Therefore, the subject matter in dispute between the 2[nd] respondent and the 2[nd] accused has been settled out of court. Hence, the applications may be allowed. 5. The learned Public Prosecutors opposed the applications. They submitted that the investigation in the case is in progress. They also stated that the petitioners have committed a very serious offence under Section 307 of the IPC. If the petitioners are released on bail, there is every likelihood of them intimidating the witnesses and tampering with the evidence. Hence, the applications may be dismissed. 6. The learned counsel for the defacto complainant/additional 2[nd] respondent submitted that the additional 2[nd] respondent has sworn Annexure-3 affidavit BAIL APPL. NO. 4096 & 4062 OF 2024 6 stating that he does not propose to proceed against the 2[nd] accused, since the dispute between them has been amicably settled and he has voluntarily executed Annexure-3 affidavit on 08.05.2024. 7. The prosecution allegation is that, the accused in furtherance of their common intention had wrongfully restrained the defacto complainant and the 1[st] accused assaulted him with a sword stick and he suffered grievous injuries. Indisputably, the additional 2[nd] respondent/defacto complainant has stated that he does not want to prosecute the matter against the 2[nd] accused, who allegedly had previous animosity with the defacto complainant. The fact remains that the petitioners have been in judicial custody for the last more than one month, the investigation in the case is complete and recovery has been effected. BAIL APPL. NO. 4096 & 4062 OF 2024 **==> picture [7 x 9] intentionally omitted <==** 8. In **Dataram Singh v. State of U.P.,** [(2018) 3 SCC 22] the Honourable Supreme Court observed that grant of bail is a rule and putting a person in jail is an exception. Even though the grant of bail is entirely the discretion of the court, it has to be evaluated based on the facts and circumstances of each case and the discretion has to be exercised in a judicious and compassionate manner. 9. The principle that bail is the rule and jail is an exception, which is on the touch stone of Article 21 of the Constitution of India. The right to bail cannot be denied merely due to the sentiments of the society. 10. On an anxious consideration of the facts, the rival submissions made across the Bar, and the materials placed on record, and especially taking into account the fact that the petitioners have been in judicial custody for the last more than one month, that the investigation in the case is practically complete and recovery has been effected and BAIL APPL. NO. 4096 & 4062 OF 2024 8 moreover the subject matter in dispute between the defacto complainant and the 2[nd] accused has been amicably settled out of court, I am of the definite view that the applications are only to be allowed. In the result, the applications are allowed, by directing the petitioners to be released on bail on them executing a bond for Rs.50,000/- (Rupees Fifty Thousand only) with two solvent sureties each for the like sum, to the satisfaction of the court having jurisdiction, which shall be subject to the following conditions: - i. The petitioners shall appear before the Investigating Officer on every Saturday between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m till the final report is laid. They shall also appear before the Investigating Officer as and when required; - ii. The petitioners shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or procure to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the BAIL APPL. NO. 4096 & 4062 OF 2024 9 court or to any Police Officer or tamper with the evidence in any manner, whatsoever; - iii. The petitioners shall not commit any offence while they are on bail; - iv. The petitioners shall surrender their passports, if any, before the court below at the time of execution of the bond. If they have no passports, they shall file affidavits to the effect before the court below on the date of execution of the bond; - v. In case of violation of any of the conditions mentioned above, the jurisdictional court shall be empowered to consider the applications for cancellation of bail, if any filed, and pass orders on the same, in accordance with law. - vi. Applications for deletion/modification of the bail conditions shall be moved and entertained by the court below. - vii. 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 BAIL APPL. NO. 4096 & 4062 OF 2024 10 even while the petitioners are on bail as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in **Sushila Aggarwal v. State (NCT of Delhi) and another** [2020 (1) KHC 663]. sd/- ## **C.S.DIAS,JUDGE** rkc/10.06.24 BAIL APPL. NO. 4096 & 4062 OF 2024 11 ## **APPENDIX OF BAIL APPL. 4062/2024** ## **PETITIONER ANNEXURES** **Annexure 1** **THE TRUE COPY OF FIR IN CRIME NO. 621/2024 OF KAYAMKULAM POLICE STATION, ALAPPUZHA** **Annexure 2 THE TRUE COPY OF REMAND APPLICATION OF PETITIONER DATED 08/05/2024 IN CRIME NO. 621/2024 OF KAYAMKULAM POLICE STATION, ALAPPUZHA** BAIL APPL. NO. 4096 & 4062 OF 2024 12 ## **APPENDIX OF BAIL APPL. 4096/2024** |**PETITIONER ANNEXURES**|| |---|---| |**Annexure 1**|**THE TRUE COPY OF FIR IN CRIME NO.**| ||**621/2024 OF KAYAMKULAM POLICE STATION,**| ||**ALAPPUZHA**| |**Annexure 2**|**THE TRUE COPY OF REMAND APPLICATION OF**| ||**PETITIONER DATED 08/05/2024 IN CRIME NO.**| ||**621/2024 OF KAYAMKULAM POLICE STATION,**| ||**ALAPPUZHA**| |**Annexure 3**|**THE ORIGINAL OF THE AFFIDAVIT OF THE**| ||**DEFACTO COMPLAINANT**|