ANSAM K.S. Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Petitioners are accused Nos.1,3,4 and 5 in Crime No.50/2018 of Palode Police Station. The offences alleged against them are under Sections 341, 323, 294(b), 506(i) and Section 3(1)(z)(d), 3(1)(r)(s) of SC/ST [Prevention of Atrocities] Act.

(2.) The allegation is that on 26.12.2017 at about 1pm the petitioners along with other accused forcibly took the defacto complainant into the Perngammala market and manhandled him and insulted him by calling caste name. Apprehending arrest the petitioners approached this Court seeking anticipatory bail.

(3.) The Public Prosecutor has strongly opposed this application. According to the petitioners there was a delay in lodging the FIR. The incident was occurred on 26.12.2017 at about 1 pm and the FIR was given only on 14.01.2018. According to the Government Pleader, the delay was explained as there was a settlement talk was going on. As per prosecution serious offences were levelled against the petitioners. Petitioners 3 to 5 are about 21, 19 and 17 years old and they are students.