Kodakara Money Heist: Kerala High Court Grants Bail To Five Accused

The Kerala High Court has granted regular bail to five accused in the Kodakara money heist case, allegedly involving robbery of about Rs. 3.5 crores that took place near Kodakara over-bridge on national highway NH 544. 

Justice K Haripal while allowing the bail pleas observed that 10 out of the 22 accused in the matter were already released on bail earlier this month. Finding no suitable reasons to keep them in custody any longer, the Court granted bail to the applicants on similar grounds. 

This was the second bail application moved by the applicants. Their first bail plea was rejected last month by the Court on the ground that further investigation was still underway.

The applicants were accused of looting a large sum of money in April this year and subsequently dividing it among themselves. They have been in custody for about three months now.

The Court earlier rejected the bail pleas noting that the matter encompassed several mysterious aspects. The actual incident had occurred on 3rd April, yet the police were alerted and the crime was registered only on 7th April.

Similarly, the defacto complainant had submitted to the police that he was looted of INR 25 lakhs by the culprits. Nevertheless, during the course of the investigation, it was disclosed that there was INR 3.5 crores in the vehicle and that the entire money was looted.

All the 22 accused, including those who had committed the robbery and those who had hatched conspiracy and shared the amount, were booked for the respective offences. A final report was subsequently laid against these 22 persons, and they were arrested. 

The counsels for the petitioners submitted that their further detention was not required since the investigation was at an advanced stage.

The Single Bench noted that by a detailed order dated 13th August 2021, bail was granted to ten accused involved in the matter.

The main consideration for granting bail was the laying of the final report by the police. The court also found that even though it is stated that it was only a preliminary final report, overwhelming grounds were not urged for the continued detention of the accused persons. The very same reasonings were found to be applicable in the instant applications as well. 

"Even though the learned Additional Director General of Prosecution has opposed the applications for bail, borrowing the very same reasonings in granting bail to other ten accused, these petitioners also can be released on bail."

Accordingly, the applicants have been released on bail with stringent conditions including a condition to not enter Thrissur revenue district except for the purpose of attending courts, until further orders. 

Also, all applicants have been directed to strictly follow the various guidelines issued by the State and Central Governments with respect to keeping of social distancing in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic.

Case Title: Rouf & Ors. v. State of Kerala

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