C. V. Padmakumar @ Pappan vs State of Kerala

V. Ramkumar, J.—Petitioner who is the 2nd accused in Crime No. 430 of 2011 of Chathannur Police Station, Kollam for offences punishable under Sections 308, 323 and 294(b) read with Section 34 I.P.C., seeks anticipatory bail.

The learned Public Prosecutor opposed the application.

After evaluating the factors and parameters which are to be taken into consideration under paragraph

112 of the verdict of the Apex Court in Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre Vs. State of Maharashtra and Others, , I am of the view that anticipatory bail cannot be granted in a case of this nature, since the investigating officer has not had the advantage of interrogating the Petitioner. Accordingly, the Petitioner is directed to surrender before the investigating officer on 14.07.2011 or on 15.07.2011 for the purpose of interrogation and recovery of incriminating material, if any.

In case the Petitioner is arrested by the Investigating Officer before interrogation, the Petitioner shall thereafter be produced before the Magistrate or the Court concerned and permitted to file an application for regular bail. In case the interrogation of the Petitioner is without arresting him, the Petitioner shall thereafter appear before the Magistrate or the Court concerned on the same day or on the next day and apply for regular bail. The Magistrate or the Court on being satisfied that the Petitioner has been interrogated by the police shall, after hearing the prosecution as well, release the Petitioner on bail.

In case the Petitioner while surrendering before the Investigating Officer has deprived the investigating officer sufficient time for interrogation, the officer shall complete the interrogation even if it is beyond the time limit fixed as above and submit a report to that effect to the Magistrate or the Court concerned. Likewise, the Magistrate or the Court also will not be bound by the time limit fixed as above if sufficient time was not available after the production or appearance of the Petitioner.

The release of the Petitioner shall be on the Petitioner executing a bond for Rs. 15,000/- (Rupees fifteen thousand only) with two solvent sureties each for the like amount to the satisfaction of the Court concerned and subject to the following conditions:

The Petitioner shall report before the Investigating Officer between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on all Wednesdays till the filing of the final report.

The Petitioner shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person who is acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him or her from disclosing any information to the Court or to the police or to any other person in authority.

The Petitioner shall make himself available for interrogation as and when required by the police at any time till the filing of the final report.

The Petitioner shall not establish any contact with any of the witnesses or accused in the case.

The Petitioner shall not influence or intimidate the prosecution witnesses or the victims nor shall he attempt to tamper with the evidence for the prosecution.

The Petitioner shall not commit any offence while on bail.

The Petitioner shall notify to the Court his place of residence before executing the bail bond.

If the Petitioner commits breach of any of the above conditions, the bail granted to him shall be liable to be cancelled.

This petition is disposed of as above.

Dated this the 1st day of July, 2011.