Abdul Nizar , v. State of Kerala
Case brief
What is this about?
NDPS case accused (SC 295/2023; Crime 40/2022 Moovattupuzha Excise Range) earlier allowed passport release, foreign travel and appearance through counsel; Ss.82/83 CrPC coercive proceedings for non-appearance initiated after change of Presiding Officer held unsustainable in effect — personal presence cannot be insisted while counsel represents him; appearance through video conferencing permitted under Electronic Video Linkage Rules for Courts (Kerala) 2021; coercive proceedings against accused and sureties kept on hold pending withdrawal application on next posting date. Kerala HC Crl.M.C. 1278/2025, neutral citation 2025:KER:19238, V.G. Arun J, 06.03.2025.
What did the court decide?
Petitioner permitted to mark his appearance in court through video conferencing mode on the next posting date to submit an application seeking withdrawal of the coercive proceedings initiated against him; until then, the coercive proceedings initiated against the petitioner and his sureties are kept on hold.