Sabarimala Violence: Kerala HC refuses bail to lawyer accused of leading mob

Taking note of the “unjustifiable vandalism” during protests against the entry of women into the Sabarimala Temple, the Kerala High Court today refused to grant bail to a legal practitioner accused of leading a mob which resorted to rioting, assaulting police personnel, and damaging several vehicles..Justice Sunil Thomas, who was hearing the bail application moved by petitioner/accused Govindh Madhusoodhanan, rejected the plea on the ground that if the latter was released, there was a possibility of repetition of the alleged offence..“Investigation is progressing. 25 persons only have been arrested and are till in custody. Materials to prima facie connect the petitioner are available. There is possibility of repetition of offence“, the order states..The Court also noted the extent of loss caused to public as well as private property by the unruly mob protesting at Nilakkal, Kerala, and called it “unjustifiable vandalism“..“Gravity of unjustifiable vandalism by the mob is evident from the extensive damages caused. It is seen that two police buses, one police car, four police vehicles, 12 KSRTC buses, 3 media vehicles and 3 cameras were damaged. 14 police personals were injured. There was no report of any person among mob being injured. Total value of the public property damaged was around Rs. 16,78,500/- and the private property which includes camera, private vehicles and media vehicles was quantifed at Rs. 15,50,000/-.”, it recorded..While rejecting bail plea, the Court dismissed Madhusoodhanan’s alibi that he was not present at the site of protest. It was a case of mistaken identity, he contended..The Court observed,.“Records reveal that the petitioner was identified as one who led a mob, provoked them and pelted stones at the vehicles. It is also stated by the witnesses that some persons among the group had their faces covered with towels. It is seen that few witnesses which included the police personnel, KSRTC staff, departmental photographer and media person have specifically identified the petitioner herein as a person who led a mob and attributed specific overt acts to him. The presence of accused in the tower location of Nilakkal, from morning till evening is confirmed with call details record of his mobile number.”.Therefore, the Court dismissed the bail application..After incidents of protest broke out against the entry of women into the Sabarimala Shrine on October 17, Madhusoodhanan was arrested by the State Police for offences punishable under Sections 143,147,148,188,332,333,353,283, and 427 read with Section 148 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 as well as Section 3(2)(e) of the Prevention of Destruction of Public Properties Act. Subsequently, he was taken into judicial custody..The petitioner was represented by Advocates Babu S Nair, Priyada R Menon, Shamseera C Ashraf, Smitha Babu, Achuth Kylas and P A Rajesh..Read the order: