MUHAMMED HASHIM Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners herein are the accused Nos. 1 and 8 in Crime No. 229 of 2016 of Vattiyoorkavu Police Station, initially registered under Section 394 of the Indian Penal Code. Subsequently, it was altered to Section 395 of IPC on the finding that more persons are involved in the crime.

(2.) The prosecution case is that these petitioners and others jointly committed robbery of a huge amount of 18.5 lakhs from the possession of the defacto complainant. The prosecution records reveal that the complainant was followed by the accused Nos. 1 to 6 on three different motor cycles, he was restrained on the way and threatened, and under such threat, the accused Nos. 1 to 3 snatched away the bag containing huge amount. The role alleged as against the accused Nos. 4 to 6 is that they had also followed the complainant along with the accused Nos. 1 to 3.

(3.) This application for regular bail is opposed by the learned Public Prosecutor on the ground that investigation is still in progress, and that if the accused is now released, they will definitely obstruct the investigation.