Kerala High Court Grants Bail To Students Accused Of Obstructing Governor Arif Khan's Convoy

The Kerala High Court has granted bail to 7 students who were accused of obstructing Governor Arif Khan's convoy.

A single judge bench of Justice CS Dias heard the matter today.

The incident occurred on December 11^th, 2023, when the governor's convoy was impeded in Palayam by the accused who disobeyed orders of the police, and detained the Governor whilst shouting slogans, thereby causing a loss of Rs. 76, 357/- to the public exchequer.

The accused were charged under Sections 124, 143, 147, 149, 283 and 353 of the IPC and Section 3(2)(e) of the Prevention of Damages to Public Property Act. They have been in judicial custody since 11.12.2023.

The counsel for the petitioners argued that the offence under Section 124 of the Act will not be attracted in this matter and has been deliberately incorporated to harass the petitioners. Additionally, it was argued that the petitioners were students who have no criminal antecedents and were willing to cooperate with the investigation.

The prosecutor opposed the application by stressing that some of the accused were still at large, and the petitioners had committed “heinous offences waylaying the Executive Head of the State.”

The bench referred to the promising future of the petitioners from the interactions they had had with both the petitioners and their parents, thus allowing them to be released on bail.

The court further laid down that the petitioners were expected to attend their classes regularly and undergo counseling.

Accordingly, it directed the petitioners to be released on bail after executing a bond of Rs. 25,000/- each with one of their parents as surety.

Counsel for Petitioner: Advocates KK Dheerendrakrishnan and NP Asha

Counsel for Respondent: Advocates Neema TV, Seetha S and CS Hrithwik

Citation: 2024 LiveLaw (Ker) 34

Case Title: Yadhu Krishnan and ors. v. State of Kerala

Case Number: Bail Application No. 11257 of 2023.

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