SEBASTIAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) I have a strange order before me, undesirable in its effect, unusual in its character and disastrous in its consequences The judicial Magistrate, I Class, Karunagappaly, has treated a young lady, 23 years old, as a property, in the order passed by him, which is sought to be quashed in this petition.

(2.) THE petitioner is one Sebastian. THE lady in question is Gouri Amma Santhamma. On information furnished by one Narayana Pillai balakrishna Pillai, Karunagappally Police registered a crime, Crime No. 142 of 1976, against the petitioner under S. 366, 369, 498, 461 and 386 IPC. THE information was lodged at 7. 00 P. M. on 28 71976. THE accusation in the said complaint was that his wife, Lakshmikutty Amma, two daughters, Vanaja and Jalaja, and his niece, the lady in question, had eloped with the petitioner at at about 12 O'clock on 22 7 1976. It is further alleged that these persons carried ornaments and cash.

(3.) IT is the order directing the lady to be entrusted to the 2nd respondent on "moonnamsthanam" that is sought to be quashed in this petition.