SUDHEESH M. Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This application is filed by the 1st accused in crime No. 2213/2018 of Muvattupuzha Police Station, seeking regular bail. Crime No. 2213/2018 was registered by the Muvattupuzha Police alleging commission of the offences punishable under Sections 306, 506(i), 384 r/w Section 34 of IPC, Section 3 r/w Section 17 of the Kerala Money Lenders Act and Section 3 r/w Section 9 of the Kerala Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest Act, 2012.

(2.) According to the prosecution, the petitioner along with two other accused were engaged in the business of money lending. They advanced a loan of Rs. 15 Lakhs to one Mr.Babu and charged exorbitant rate of interest for the same. They collected blank cheque leaves from the said Babu while advancing the loan amount. Thereafter, when Mr.Babu, failed to repay the amount, the accused visited his residence and his work place to demand the remaining loan amount with interest. They forced the wife of the said Babu to sell her property and clear the amount due to them. Accused Nos. 2, 4 and 5 threatened the siad Babu and grabbed 10 cents of property owned by his wife for a lesser consideration. They repeated the said activities. Accused Nos. 6 and 7 visited the house wherein the said Babu and his wife were residing, following which, on 27.06.2018, Babu committed suicide.

(3.) An FIS was lodged by the wife of Babu before the Muvattupuzha Police and that culminated in the registration of the crime in question. Investigation was perused with. In the meantime, the accused was arrested. He was produced before the court and was remanded to judicial custody. In the aforesaid circumstances, this application seeking regular bail is moved.