Kerala HC Grants Anticipatory Bail To Cricketer Sreesanth In Cheating Case Recording Settlement Between Parties

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday allowed the anticipatory bail application moved by cricketer S. Sreesanth in a cheating case. 

Justice Mohammed Nias C.P. recorded the submission that the matter had been settled between the parties. 

The prosecution allegation against Sreesanth was that two accused persons had made the complainant part with certain amount of money, for construction of a villa project.

Subsequently, the complainant was informed that a Cricket Academy would be started in its place by the first two accused persons, under the guidance of the petitioner (Sreesanth), who had been named as the third accused in the case. It was alleged that the first accused had also promised the complainant of partnership in the Academy.

The petitioner submitted that although he had been contacted by the first accused with a proposal to start the academy, and had given his input in the matter, there was no financial transaction between him and the two other accused.

The petitioner stated that he had given his input in the matter pro bono, being a cricket enthusiast and that he had been unaware of his name being used for any purpose at any point in time. He also added that the Academy was never started. He argued that he was innocent of the charges levelled against him, and suspected conspiracy and foul play behind the allegations.

He further argued that the allegations against him were raised at a time when he had been playing and performing well in the Legends League Cricket, and is also being considered in a few other Professional Cricket League auctions as well. He submitted that although the amounts were alleged to have been transferred in 2019, the complaint had been filed belatedly.

The Court had earlier granted Sreesanth interim protection from arrest on being informed by the public prosecutor that the case had been mutually settled between the parties. 

The plea was moved through Advocates Renjith B. Marar, Lakshmi N. Kaimal, P. Rajkumar, Keshavraj Nair, Arun Poomulli, Preetha S. Chandran, Abhijith Sreekumar, Anand Remesh, C.R. Rekha, and Abhiram S.

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Ker) 745

Case Title: S. Sreesanth v. State of Kerala

Case Number: Bail Appl. 10582/ 2023