PANKAJ BHANDARI Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Dated this the 13th day of February, 2026 This writ petition has been filed by Pankaj Bhandari, who is the 9th accused in Crime No.3701/2025 and 12 th accused in Crime No.3700/2025, registered by Crime Branch, Kollam. The prayers are as under:

(2.) Heard the learned senior counsel for the petitioner and the learned Additional Director General of Prosecution appearing for the prosecution. Perused the relevant records.

(3.) The learned senior counsel for the petitioner argued at length based on the decisions of the Apex Court mainly to contend that the arrest of the accused in the above crimes recorded on 19/12/2025 is illegal, since his fundamental and statutory rights as explained by the Apex Court have been violated. The argument notes filed by the learned senior counsel for the petitioner is as under: