In-Flight Protest Against Chief Minister: Kerala Court Grants Bail To Youth Congress Vice President KS Sabarinadhan

A Kerala court on Monday released on bail State Youth Congress Vice-President K.S. Sabarinadhan in the case related to the recent protest against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on a flight at the Thiruvananthapuram airport.

Thiruvananthapuram Principal Sessions Judge P.V. Balakrishnan allowed the bail application with conditions finding that custodial interrogation of the petitioner was not required in the case since reports did not reveal any conspiracy as alleged in the case.

Sabarinadhan was arrested for plotting an alleged attempt on the life of the Chief Minister on board an Indigo aircraft that landed in Thiruvananthapuram from Kannur on June 13.

The prosecution case was that 3 men who were on the same flight on which the Chief Minister was travelling, flouted the directions of the aircraft crew, shouted threats, and rushed toward the Chief Minister, and attempted to attack and kill him. It was also alleged that the petitioners injured the security staff of the Chief Minister.

All these three men were granted bail in the case by the High Court last month. 

The prosecution alleges that Sabarinadhan conspired with these three accused, and instigated and aided them in the protest. It was also alleged that he posted several messages on a WhatsApp group regarding the movement of the Chief Minister, the plan to attack him and even gave instructions to the first three accused to 'murder' the Minister.

On these grounds, he was arrested on Monday. 

Advocates Kowdiar S. Mohandas and Mirdul John Mathew appeared for the petitioner and argued that he was maliciously arrested after he received notice to appear before the Police for questioning. It was also contended that being a former MLA, there was no chance of him feeling from justice. 

They further submitted that the only reason for which the prosecution opposed the bail was to seize his mobile phone which he is ready to surrender at any point of time. 

However, Public Prosecutor A.A. Hakim vehemently opposed the bail application submitting that he is the mastermind behind the attack and that his custody is required for recovering the mobile phone through which he sent the alleged messages. 

The Court noted that the first three accused in the case were released on bail by the High Court and that they were interrogated extensively. The Sessions Court also found that the reports of this interrogation did not reveal any conspiracy as alleged. 

Further, it was noted that the screenshots of the alleged WhatsApp chats produced by the petitioner did not reveal any idea of committing murder, rather than staging a protest. 

Similarly, the Judge noted that being an ex-MLA, there was less likelihood of the petitioner fleeing from justice, affirmed by the fact that he had promptly appeared before the police for questioning upon receiving notice. 

Considering these among other factors, the Court found it a fit case to allow the bail application with conditions. 

The petitioner has been asked to execute a bond of RS. 50,000 with two solvent sureties, to appear before the Investigating Officer on 20, 21, and 22 July at 10 am, and not to influence witnesses while out on bail. 

Case Title: Sabarinadhan K.S v. Station House Officer & Ors.

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