SHIJU M VARGHESE Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These are applications for regular bail under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

(2.) Bail Application No.3870 of 2021 is one filed by the fourth accused in Crime No.231 of 2021 of Kannanalloor Police Station, registered for offences punishable under Sections 153, 308, 120B, 124A, 211, 195 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3 (a) of the Explosive Substance Act and Bail Application No.3915 of 2021 is one instituted by the third accused in the said case.

(3.) The fourth accused is the president of a company named E.M.C.C based in U.S.A which entered into a memorandum of understanding with the State Government for deep sea fishing. It is alleged that the former Fisheries Minister of the State Government had made a statement against the said memorandum of understanding. It is also alleged that with a view to defame the minister and to ensure her defeat in the election held on the 6th of April 2021 on account of the said reason, the accused hatched a criminal conspiracy and in furtherance to the same, on 06.04.2021, at about 05.30 hours the first accused and others hurled a bottle containing explosive substance to the car in which the fourth accused was travelling, after lighting the same at a place called Kureeppally. It is further alleged that the accused persons had stage managed the said occurrence to give an impression to the public that the fourth respondent was attacked by the supporters of the Fisheries Minister. The accused were arrested on 29.04.2021 and are in custody since then.