Kerala High Court
Sudeep vs State Of Kerala on 12 March, 2025
Author: P.V.Kunhikrishnan
Bench: P.V.Kunhikrishnan
B.A.No.3261 of 2025
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN
WEDNESDAY, THE 12TH DAY OF MARCH 2025 / 21ST PHALGUNA, 1946
BAIL APPL. NO. 3261 OF 2025
CRIME NO.207/2025 OF ANTHIKAD POLICE STATION, THRISSUR
PETITIONER(S)/JUDICIAL CUSTODY:
SUDEEP
AGED 42 YEARS
SUDEEP S/O VISWAMBARAN, PAZHUVIL DESOM,
KURUMBILAVU VILLAGE, THRISSUR DISTRICT,
PIN - 680564
BY ADVS.
VISHNU K. RAMESH
LLOYD ARBY
RESPONDENT(S)/JUDICIAL CUSTODY:
STATE OF KERALA
REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,HIGH COURT OF
KERALA, PIN - 682031
BY ADV.
SR PP - SRI.HRITHWIK.C.S
THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON
12.03.2025, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:
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P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN, J
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B.A.No.3261 of 2025
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Dated this the 12th day of March, 2025
ORDER
This Bail Application is filed under Section 483 of the
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
2. Petitioner is an accused in Crime No.207 of 2025
of Anthikkad Police Station. The above case is registered against
the petitioner alleging offences punishable under Sections 126(2),
296(b), 115(2) & 110 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (for
short 'BNS').
3. The prosecution case is that, on 14.02.2025 at
6.00 pm, the petitioner wrongfully restrained the defacto
complainant, uttered obscene words to him, and voluntarily
caused hurt to him. Hence it is alleged that the accused
committed the above said offences. The petitioner was arrested
on 16.02.2025.
4. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the
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petitioner and the learned Public Prosecutor.
5. Counsel for the petitioner submitted that the
petitioner is in custody from 16.02.2025. The counsel submitted
that the petitioner is ready to abide any conditions if this Court
grant him bail.
6. The Public Prosecutor opposed the bail
application and submitted that the petitioner is involved in three
other crimes. But the Public Prosecutor submitted that the final
report is already filed.
7. This Court considered the contentions of the
petitioner and the Public Prosecutor. It is true that the allegation
against the petitioner is serious and there are criminal
antecedents to the petitioner. But the petitioner is in custody
from 16.02.2025. The final report is already filed. In such
circumstances, indefinite incarceration of the petitioner is not
necessary. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, I
think the petitioner can be released on bail after imposing
stringent conditions.
8. Moreover, it is a well accepted principle that the
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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 has the
opportunity of securing fair trial.
9. Moreover, in Jalaluddin Khan v. Union of
India [2024 KHC 6431], the Hon'ble Supreme Court observed
that:
"21. Before we part with the Judgment, we must
mention here that the Special Court and the High
Court did not consider the material in the charge
sheet objectively. Perhaps the focus was more on
the activities of PFI, and therefore, the appellant's
case could not be properly appreciated. When a case
is made out for a grant of bail, the Courts should not
have any hesitation in granting bail. The allegations
of the prosecution may be very serious. But, the
duty of the Courts is to consider the case for grant
of bail in accordance with the law. "Bail is the rule
and jail is an exception" is a settled law. Even in a
case like the present case where there are stringent
conditions for the grant of bail in the relevant
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statutes, the same rule holds good with only
modification that the bail can be granted if the
conditions in the statute are satisfied. The rule also
means that once a case is made out for the grant of
bail, the Court cannot decline to grant bail. If the
Courts start denying bail in deserving cases, it will
be a violation of the rights guaranteed under Art.21
of our Constitution." (underline supplied)
10. In Manish Sisodia v. Directorate of
Enforcement [2024 KHC 6426], also the Hon'ble Supreme
Court observed that:
"53. The Court further observed that, over a period of
time, the trial courts and the High Courts have
forgotten a very well - settled principle of law that
bail is not to be withheld as a punishment. From our
experience, we can say that it appears that the trial
courts and the High Courts attempt to play safe in
matters of grant of bail. The principle that bail is a
rule and refusal is an exception is, at times, followed
in breach. On account of non - grant of bail even in
straight forward open and shut cases, this Court is
flooded with huge number of bail petitions thereby
adding to the huge pendency. It is high time that the
trial courts and the High Courts should recognize the
principle that "bail is rule and jail is exception"."
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11. 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. Petitioner shall be released on bail on 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 jurisdictional Court.
2. The petitioner shall appear before the
Investigating Officer for interrogation as and
when required. The petitioner shall 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 him from disclosing
such facts to the Court or to any police officer.
3. Petitioner shall not leave India without permission
of the jurisdictional Court.
4. Petitioner shall not commit an offence similar to
the offence of which he is accused, or suspected,
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of the commission of which he is suspected.
5. If any of the above conditions are violated by the
petitioner, 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 there is any violation of
the above conditions.
Sd/-
P.V.KUNHIKRISHNAN, JUDGE
DM
