The court emphasizes the balance between the seriousness of charges and the rights of the accused to freedom pending trial.

ORDER

This is an application seeking regular bail filed under Section 439 of the Code of Criminal Procedure , 1973.

2. Petitioner is the accused in Crime No.497/2022 of Maloor Police Station, Kannur District. The offences alleged against the petitioner are under Sections 452, 341, 324, 294(b), 427, 436 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code. 1860.

3. According to the prosecution, on 12.10.2022 at 6.00 pm the accused tresspassed into the house of the defacto complainant, who is none other than his wife and hit her head with a stone and thereafter set fire to the household utensils causing loss to an amount of Rs.3,00,000/- to the defacto complainant and thereby committed the offences alleged.

4. Sri.Sunny Mathew, learned Counsel for the petitioner contended that the prosecution allegations are false and that the incident as alleged had not occurred. It was further submitted that petitioner was arrested on 13.10.2022 and has been in custody since then.

5. Smt.M.K.Pushpalatha , learned Public Prosecutor opposed the grant of bail and contended that the allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature and even though the final report was filed on

28.11.2022, releasing him on bail would cause prejudice to the prosecution case.

6. I have considered the rival contentions.

7. Even though the allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature, having regard to the period of detention already undergone, I am of the view that the continued detention of the petitioner is not required in the circumstances of the case, more so since the investigation is over and the final report has already been filed. Therefore, the petitioner is entitled to be released on bail.

In the result, this application is allowed on the following conditions:- (a) Petitioner shall be released on bail on him executing bond for Rs.50,000/- (Rupees fifty thousand only) with two solvent sureties each for the like sum to the satisfaction of the court having jurisdiction.

(b) Petitioner shall co-operate with the trial of the case.

(c) Petitioner shall not intimidate or attempt to influence the witnesses; nor shall he attempt to tamper with the evidence.

(d) Petitioner shall not commit any similar offences while he is on bail.

(e) Petitioner shall not leave India without the permission of the Court having jurisdiction.

In case of violation of any of the above conditions, the jurisdictional Court shall be empowered to consider the application for cancellation, if any, and pass appropriate orders in accordance with the law, notwithstanding the bail having been granted by this Court.

BECHU KURIAN THOMAS JUDGE jm/

APPENDIX OF BAIL APPL. 51/2023 PETITIONER ANNEXURES Annexure A1 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 25.11.2022 IN CRL.M.C. NO.1500/2022 PASSED BY THE COURT OF SESSION , THALASSERY