A V RAVEENDRAN Vs. STATE AND ORS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioner is the accused in Crime No.72 of 2013 of Peringome Police Station registered for offences punishable under Sections 341, 323, 354 and 353 of the Indian Penal Code. He has filed the above application seeking pre-arrest bail under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

(2.) The allegation is that on 08.02.2013 at about 9 a.m petitioner outraged the modesty of de facto complainant and obstructed her from discharging her duties as a part time sweeper employed in Government Veterinary Hospital, Padiyotuchal. When de facto complainant was opening the gate of hospital, petitioner interfered and objected stating that the hospital was not opened at the time fixed. He pushed and pulled de facto complainant and she fell down, is the further allegation. Investigation of the crime is now in progress and, at this stage, petitioner has approached this court seeking pre-arrest bail.

(3.) I heard the learned counsel for petitioner and also the learned Public Prosecutor. Though some allegations are raised that petitioner had previous animosity towards de facto complainant, having regard to the circumstances surrounding the case and age of petitioner, who is shown to be 57 years, and also that he is a retired Government servant, I find, the discretionary relief canvassed by him can be granted, to avoid his detention after arrest, with direction to co-operate with investigation of the crime.