Allowed

Gopalakrishnan, v. State of Kerala

Kerala HC8 Feb 2022Bail Appl./133/2022

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

In this bail application regarding possession of contraband under the Kerala Abkari Act, the court observed that custodial interrogation was unnecessary and allowed bail subject to conditions including appearance before the investigating officer at 9 a.m on Saturdays and execution of a bond.

What did the court decide?

Petitioner granted bail subject to conditions: bond of Rs.50,000 with two sureties, periodic appearance, non-interference with investigation, and no new crimes.

Gopalakrishnan, Vs State of Kerala — Bail and Remand | Kerala HC (2022)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

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PRESENT

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THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE GOPINATH P.

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TUESDAY, THE 8^TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2022 / 19TH MAGHA, 1943

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BAIL APPL. NO. 133 OF 2022

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Crime No.27/2021 of Mala Excise Range office

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PETITIONER/ACCUSED:

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GOPALAKRISHNAN, AGED 51 YEARS S/O. BALAN, KADEPARAMBIL HOUSE, PERINGANAM P.O, THIRUMUKKULAM VILLAGE, THRISSUR.

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BY ADVS. M.SHAJU PURUSHOTHAMAN K.S.RAJESH

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RESPONDENTS:

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1 STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM.

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2 THE EXCISE INSPECTOR, MALA EXCISE RANGE, MALA, PIN 680 715.

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OTHER PRESENT:

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ADV ASHI -P.P

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THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 08.02.2022, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

B.A. No.133/2022

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O R D E R

The petitioner is the accused in Crime No.27/2021 of Mala Excise Range office, Thrissur alleging commission of offence under Section 55 (g) of the Kerala Abkari Act.

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The allegation against the petitioner is that on 27-05-2021 he was found in possession of 60 litres of wash together with the utensils for distilling arrack.

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The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is absolutely innocent in the matter. It is submitted that there was no recovery of the contraband from the possession of the petitioner. It is submitted that the petitioner has been wrongly identified and roped in by the excise department. It is submitted that the custodial interrogation of the petitioner is not necessary in the facts and circumstsnces of the case.

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The learned Public Prosecutor taken me through the materials appearing against the petitioner and submits that the grant of bail to the petitioner may not be conducive as there is every chance the offence being repeated if the petitioner is granted anticipatory bail.

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Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the nature of the allegations against the petitioner and also considering the fact that custodial interrogation may not be necessary for the purpose of any investigation, I am of the view that the petitioner can be granted bail subject to conditions.

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B.A. No.133/2022

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In the result, this bail application is allowed. It is directed that the petitioner shall be released on bail, in the event of arrest in connection with Crime No.27/2021 of Mala Excise Range subject to the following conditions:-

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(i) Petitioner shall execute a bond for a sum of Rs.50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand only) with two solvent sureties each for the like sum to the satisfaction of the jurisdictional Court;

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(ii) Petitioner shall appear before the Investigating officer in Crime No.27/2021 of Mala Excise Range at 9 a.m on every Saturday until filing of final report in the aforesaid crime;

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(iii) Petitioner shall not attempt to interfere with the investigation or to influence or intimidate any witness in Crime No.27/2021 of Mala Excise Range;

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(iv) Petitioner shall not involve in any other crime while on bail.

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If any of the aforesaid conditions are violated, the Investigating officer in Crime No.27/2021 of Mala Excise Range may file an application before the jurisdictional Court for cancellation of bail.

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Sd/- GOPINATH P. JUDGE

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AMG

Gopalakrishnan, v. State of Kerala

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Gopalakrishnan, v. State of Kerala

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

A compact analysis

Issues for consideration

Statutes considered

Parties & counsel

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Case details

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