GEORGE MATHAI Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner, who is the accused in C.P.No.45/2000 on the file of the J.F.C.M-I, Palakkad for an offence punishable under Section 3(1)(x) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, seeks anticipatory bail.

(2.) Consequent on the non appearance of the petitioner in C.P. No.45/2000 on the file of the J.F.C.M-I, Palakkad, non bailable warrants of arrest are pending against the petitioner.

(3.) Anticipatory bail cannot be granted to nullify the process issued by a Court of competent jurisdiction. There is no reason why the petitioner should not surrender before the committal Court and seek regular bail. Accordingly, if the petitioner surrenders before the Committal Court and files an application for regular bail within two weeks from today, the same shall be considered and disposed of preferably on the same day on which it is filed, after examining the explanation offered by the petitioner for his previous non appearance. The application is disposed of as above.