THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Kerala High Court Reviews Bail in Politically Charged Assault Case Cancellation of Anticipatory Bail of State Security Personnel Subject :Criminal Law - Bail and Pre-trial Procedure TheKerala High Courthas intervened in a high-profile legal dispute concerning the alleged assault of protesters by the security detail of the state’s former Chief Minister. OnThursday, June 18, Justice C.S. Dias issued a formal notice to five security personnel in connection with a petition filed by the State seeking the cancellation of theanticipatory bailpreviously granted by theAlappuzha Sessions Court. The matter, which stems from the violence reported during the 2023 'Nava Kerala Sadas' programme, has now become a focal point for debates surrounding the independence of internal investigations and the thresholds for grantingpre-arrest bailto state officials. Background: The Nava Kerala Sadas Incident The case originated onDecember 15, 2023, during the 'Nava Kerala Sadas' outreach campaign, a signature program of the then-official administration. As the tour bus belonging to theKerala State Road Transport Corporation(KSRTC)—carrying the form…

Assault and KAAPA cases: Court denies bail to BJP Councillor R Sugathan THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Nedumangad Magistrate Court has rejected two bail applications filed by R. Sugathan, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillor representing the Vazhottukonam ward in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. The bail pleas were turned down in connection with two separate cases, including the assault of a local resident at Vellakadavu Junction in Vattiyoorkavu and an attack on police personnel who had arrived to arrest him under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). In the first case, Sugathan is accused of manhandling Prashanth, a native of Kulumala in Aruvipuram, at the Vattiyoorkavu Vellakadavu Junction. The second case pertains to his violent resistance and assault on law enforcement officers who attempted to take him into custody under KAAPA. According to police records, Sugathan faces a total of 12 criminal cases, including 11 registered at the Vattiyoorkavu police station and one at Nedumangad. The charges against him span a wide range of serious offences, including six counts of attempted murder, criminal intimidation, wrongful restraint, assaulting police off…

Nava Kerala Sadas assault case: Kerala HC issues notice to ex-CM's ... Onmanorama Staff Published: June 18, 2026 03:27 PM ISTUpdated: June 18, 2026 03:35 PM IST 2 minuteRead Link Copied The Kerala High Court on Thursday issued notices on the State's plea to cancel the anticipatory bail granted to five members of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's security team in connection with the violence during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in 2023. Justice C.S. Dias issued the notice to the accused, who were earlier granted pre-arrest bail by the Alappuzha Sessions Court. The court also granted them time to file counter-affidavits, if any, and posted the matter for further consideration on June 27. According to the prosecution, the incident took place at around 4.08 pm on December 15, 2023, when the defacto complainant and other Youth Congress and KSU members approached a KSRTC bus carrying the then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his Cabinet colleagues and raised slogans in protest. The prosecution alleged that although the police had restrained the protesters and ensured the smooth movement of the ministers, the accused got out of their escort vehicle carrying lathis and …

Kerala actor rape case: HC issues notices to Dileep, others Kerala government challenged the acquittal of Dileep Kerala actor rape case: HC issues notices to Dileep, others By Shreya Mukherjee Mar 10, 2026 03:07 pm What's the story The Kerala High Court has issued notices to actor Dileep and others in the 2017 actor rape case. The move comes after the Kerala government challenged their acquittal, seeking enhancement of the punishment awarded to six convicts in this high-profile case. The government's appeal argues that the Ernakulam Sessions Court's decision to acquit Dileep and three others was "illegal and contrary to the evidence on record." Legal arguments Government's appeal says trial court 'gravely erred' in law The Kerala government's appeal argues that the judgment of the trial court was "illegal and unsustainable, and liable to be set aside and modified." It further contends that the sentence awarded was "highly disproportionate and inadequate, considering the nature of the offenses, the manner of execution, and the terror created in society." The government also claims that the trial court "gravely erred" in law and on facts. Upcoming hearing More about the 2017…

Jailed BJP councillor gets bail for repeat swearing in ... - Onmanorama Onmanorama Staff Published: July 09, 2026 03:38 PM IST 3 minuteRead A Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor, R Sugathan, detained under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act (KAAPA), has been granted interim bail by a Judicial First Class Magistrate (JFCM) for a repeat swearing-in ceremony on July 14. This interim bail is specific to certain crimes under the Bharathiya Nyaya Samhitha and does not affect the ongoing KAAPA proceedings. The interim bail was granted to enable Sugathan to comply with a High Court order that invalidated oaths taken in the name of deities and required a repeat swearing-in for 20 BJP councillors. Link Copied Thiruvananthapuram Corporation councillor R Sugathan, now detained in Viyyur Central Jail for offences under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act (KAAPA), has been granted interim bail by Judicial First Class Magistrate (JFCM) II, Nedumangad, for the sole purpose of attending his repeat swearing-in on July 14. This does not mean that Sugathan can take the oath on the last date fixed by the High Court for the rectification oath. For this to happen…

Nava Kerala Sadas assault case: Verdict on anticipatory bail for ... Onmanorama Staff Published: June 09, 2026 11:21 AM ISTUpdated: June 09, 2026 11:28 AM IST 2 minuteRead Link Copied Alappuzha District and Sessions Court will pronounce the verdict on the anticipatory bail plea filed by five accused cops in the Nava Kerala Sadassu assault case on Tuesday. District Sessions Judge Honey M Varghese heard the arguments on Saturday. The case pertains to the alleged assault on KSU and Youth Congress activists who staged a protest during the Nava Kerala Sadas outreach programme in Alappuzha on December 15, 2023. Anilkumar, the former gunman of then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and members of his escort team, S Sandeep, Shaiju V K, Arun R, and Vipin V V are the accused in the case. In their pre-arrest bail plea, Anilkumar and Sandeep argued that the protesters had approached dangerously close to the convoy, which was moving under Z-plus security cover, and that their actions were necessary to prevent a perceived threat to the CM, accompanying ministers, and security personnel. Officers also said they feared arrest due to political rivalry involving the ruling front, describing…

Supreme Court Grants Kerala One Week to Respond in Plea Against HC ... VIP MEMBER LOGIN Home Court Updates Court Updates Supreme Court Grants Kerala One Week to Respond in Plea Against HC Guidelines on Display of Hospital Rates By Law Trend February 24, 2026 7:24 PM Facebook WhatsApp Twitter Print Pinterest The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted one week to the Kerala government to file its counter affidavit in a plea challenging the Kerala High Court’s guidelines mandating clinical establishments to prominently display details of services and package rates. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order after counsel for the state sought time to file the response. The Court permitted the petitioners, the Kerala Private Hospitals Association and Hussain Koya Thangal, to file their rejoinder within two weeks thereafter. The bench also directed that its interim order dated December 16, 2025, restraining authorities from taking coercive action against members of the association, will continue until the next date of hearing on March 24. The Supreme Court had in December 2025 issued notice on a petition challenging the Kerala High Court’s judgment upholding provisions…

Kerala govt to move High Court against bail to ED attack accused, names ... THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In an unprecedented legal move, the Kerala government has decided to file an appeal in the High Court against the bail granted to the ninth accused in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials' assault case. Strikingly, the state will name its own Public Prosecutor, Geena Kumari, as a respondent in the petition, following allegations of collusion with the defence. The decision was finalised after the direct intervention of the Director General of Prosecution, T. Asaf Ali. Official orders terminating Geena Kumari’s appointment as the Public Prosecutor for this case are expected to be issued imminently. According to government sources, the administration took the drastic step after police accused the prosecutor of deliberately weakening the state's stance to help the accused, Hareesh, secure bail. Although Geena Kumari, an LDF government appointee, has her tenure valid until October, the police department strongly pushed for her immediate removal citing professional negligence. Investigative reports reveal that the police had submitted a detailed objection on the 18th of this month, l…

Kerala High Court Seeks Chief Minister VD Satheesan's Response ... The Kerala High Court on Friday (June 19) sought the response of Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and his brother, V.D. Ajayakumar in a police protection plea filed by expelled Congress leader Simi Bell Rose John, accusing them of threatening her. The present plea beforeJustice Bechu Kurian Thomaswas preferred by Simi seeking a direction to the State and the SHO of Thevara police station to ensure that there is no obstruction to her life and property from CM Satheesh or V.D. Ajayakumar or their men. According to her plea, Satheesan had offerred her money after his first election to the Legislative Assembly but she had refused to accept the same alleging that it was sourced through corruption. It is further stated that she had publicly spoken against Satheesan and due this enmity, he and his "power group" has been attempting to attack her. The plea further points that her son and her colleague were attacked on separate occasions. Fearing threat to her and her family's lives, she preferred a representation before the City Police Commissioner seeking police protection but to no avail. Aggrieved, she has come before th…

Nava Kerala Sadas Assault: State Moves Kerala High Court To ... - LiveLaw 17 Jun 2026 10:15 AM IST The Kerala government has moved a plea before the High Court seeking to cancel the anticipatory bail granted to five members of the security team of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the crime registered during the violence committed during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in 2023.Last week, the Sessions Judge, Alappuzha had allowed the bail pleas of the accused, who were booked by... Your support helps us to bring you more content atan affordable subscription scheme !!!All payment options available Salma Jennath is a Principal Correspondent with LiveLaw, covering Kerala High Court

ED officials attack case: Kerala replaces public prosecutor amid bail ... News Desk Last Updated: 29 June 2026, 07:21 AM IST Share Kerala has replaced its District Government Pleader in the ED officials attack case after controversy over the bail granted to the ninth accused. A. Santhosh Kumar has been appointed as the new Special Public Prosecutor. Attack on ED officials | PTI Thiruvananthapuram: In the case related to the alleged attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, the current District Government Pleader Geena Kumari has been removed from her post. Additional Government Pleader A.R. Shaji has been assigned the charge in her place. Former Government Pleader Advocate A. Santhosh Kumar has been appointed as the new Special Public Prosecutor to handle the case. The action against Geena Kumari follows alleged lapses in connection with the granting of bail to the ninth accused in the case. Also Read Attack on ED team: Kerala Police form 30-member SIT; agency likely to press for CBI probe Court rejects bail to 5 in ED attack case linked to raid at former Kerala CM’s residence The government has assessed that the accused securing bail was the result of alleged collusion an…

No Immediate Relief for Sugathan; High Court Permission Needed to Walk ... Thursday 09, July 2026 English E-paper Trending Topics English Kerala Published onJul 09, 2026, 02:00 PM|2min read Thiruvananthapuram: A court in Nedumangad has granted interim bail to BJP councillor R Sugathan, who is an accused in an attempt-to-murder case. However, since Sugathan is currently lodged in prison under the provisions of the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), he can be released only if he also secures relief under the Act from the High Court. Sugathan, the elected councillor from the Vazhottukonam ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, was granted interim bail from 5 pm on July 13 until 9 pm on July 14 to enable him to attend the oath-taking ceremony. He is currently lodged in Viyyur Central Prison in connection with the KAAPA detention. Sugathan has 19 criminal cases registered against him, including four cases of attempt to murder. The District Collector invoked the KAAPA against him on the directions of the City Police Commissioner in connection with cases involving rioting, creating public disorder, obstructing police officers from discharging their off…

Kerala govt to appeal against acquittal of actor Dileep in 2017 actress ... ANI The Kerala government will soon file an appeal against the verdict in the 2017 actress assault case, challenging both the acquittal of actor Dileep and the sentences awarded to six convicts, sources said on Tuesday. According to sources in the office of the Director General of Prosecution, the state government has given its nod to file an appeal against the district court judgment. Special Public Prosecutor V Aja Kumar told PTI that the appeal would be filed soon after the Kerala High Court 's Christmas vacation. "Though I have not yet received a copy of the government order, I have been informed that approval has been granted. Hence, we will be able to file the appeal once the court vacation is over," he said. Kumar said he had submitted a detailed report to the Director General of Prosecution, which was subsequently forwarded to the state government. Live Events "The government has taken a clear stand that no time should be wasted in filing the appeal. I have examined the judgment in detail and prepared the grounds for appeal," he said. He said the state would challenge the sentence awarded by the Er…

Kerala HC rejects anticipatory bail plea of first accused in Sabarimala ... Kochi, Feb 23The Kerala High Court on Monday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of the first accused in a case related to alleged irregularities in the sale of 'Adiya Sishtam Ghee', a sacred offering sold to devotees at the Lord Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala. The anticipatory bail application filed by Santosh Kumar of Mooloor, Thiruvananthapuram, who had served as Special Officer at Sabarimala, was dismissed byJustice A Badharudeen. Earlier, a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court had directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) to register a case and conduct an investigation based on a report submitted by the Sabarimala Special Commissioner regarding irregularities in the sale of ghee. The VACB registered a case against 33 people, including the petitioner, who had served at the Sabarimala temple during the recently concluded pilgrimage season. According to the Vigilance, irregularities to the tune of Rs 36.24 lakh were detected in the ghee sales. The accused contended that he has 60 per cent visual impairment, had no role in the alleged irregularities, and that his arrest was not necess…

Nava Kerala Sadas Assault: Kerala High Court Issues Notice To ... - LiveLaw 18 Jun 2026 2:45 PM IST The Kerala High Court on Thursday (June 18) issued notice on State's plea to cancel the anticipatory bail granted to five members of the security team of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the crime registered during the violence committed during the Nava Kerala Sadas programme in 2023.Justice C.S. Dias ordered notice to the accused persons, who were granted pre-arrest bail by the... Your support helps us to bring you more content atan affordable subscription scheme !!!All payment options available Salma Jennath is a Principal Correspondent with LiveLaw, covering Kerala High Court

Nava Kerala Sadas assault case: High Court issues notice to accused on SIT plea against bail The notice is issued in a petition moved by the SIT against the anticipatory bail granted to the accused by the District and Sessions Court, Alappuzha