Human Sacrifice case: Kerala High Court reserves verdict on key accused Laila Bhagawal Singh's bail plea

The Kerala High Court on Friday reserved its verdict in the bail plea moved by Laila Bhagawal Singh, one of the key accused in the human sacrifice case. [Laila Bhagawal Singh v. State of Kerala].On noting that the counsel for Laila, Advocate BA Aloor and Director General of Prosecution, Senior Advocate TA Shaji, made diametrically opposing submissions regarding whether Laila was an active participant in the sacrifice, Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas said that he would go through the case diary before passing any order."I was impressed with your (Aloor's) allegation that she (Laila) had no active role but now the prosecution says she was an active participant which would make a prima facie case against her. I was going to pass orders today but now I will go through the case diary and consider it. Reserved," Justice Thomas said..In November this year, Judicial First Class Magistrate-VIII at Ernakulam Eldos Mathew had refused to grant Singh bail as he found merit in the prosecution's contention that the unparalleled crime was well-orchestrated and that thorough investigation was necessary."The investigation of the case is in its preliminary stage. if the accused is released on bail, it will affect the progress of the investigation. There is also chances of her intimidating witnesses, tampering with evidence and absconding," the magistrate's order stated..In early October this year, news of two women being murdered, allegedly as part of a human sacrifice ritual, came to light in the State when the dismembered bodies of the women were recovered from Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district.Three persons were apprehended the same week for the alleged murder of the women, who were both lottery ticket sellers in Ernakulam district.The police arrested one Muhammed Shafi for allegedly for arranging the abduction and committing the sacrificial murder. The other accused, married couple Bhagawal Singh and Laila Bhagawal Singh, were arrested on suspicion of having commissioned and taken part in the sacrificial murder.All three accused were first remanded to judicial custody and then to 12 days of police custody..[Read our live coverage of the hearing today]