Kattakkada Christian College Elections Row: Kerala High Court Stays Arrest Of SFI Leader In Impersonation Case

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday stayed the arrest of a Student Federation of India (SFI) leader Visakh A in the case related to the elections conducted at Christian College, Kattakkada, until June 20. 

The case pertains to the alleged impersonation, falsification of documents and misrepresentation during the college elections held in May 2023. 

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas, while considering the anticipatory bail application by the accused petitioner, said the allegations in the case are serious and directed the Prosecutor to produce the case diary. 

The Principal of the College, who has been named as the first accused person, is alleged to have committed certain malpractices during the conduct of the college elections. 

The petitioner, a 20 year old B.Sc. Physics student, averred that he has been arrayed as the 2nd accused in the case by the police without conducting proper enquiry. He submitted that there were no elections conducted in the college, since the five candidates were selected unanimously, de hors their political affinity. He further said that when subsequently, one of the candidates became medically dispossessed, she voluntarily resigned and since no elections were held in the college, the Principal of the College forwarded his name as one of the representatives. 

"The non-bailable offences of Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant, or banker, merchant, or agent), 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), and 468 (Forgery for purposes of cheating) has been solely incorporated to vex and harass the petitioner in the above crime. They are not attracted against the petitioner in the facts and circumstances of the case," the plea states. 

The petitioner submitted that he is ready to cooperate with the investigation and added that since he is only a student, his incarceration in a "false vexatious case would mar his chances of a bright future".

The case has been posted for further consideration on June 20. 

The petitioner is represented by Advocate S. Nikhil Sankar. 

Case Title: Visakh A. v. State of Kerala