On 30th July 2020, Justice K. Natarajan heard the case of Sri Ravikiran K.G. v. the State of Karnataka, via video-conferencing. The Court granted bail to the petitioner as there was no material to show the involvement of the petitioner in the death of the victim.
Facts of the case
The petition was filed under Section 438 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The petitioner was filed for granting anticipatory bail. The deceased committed suicide and her body was floating in a lake. The mother of the deceased suspected the petitioner’s connection with the victim’s death.
The police registered the report and made efforts to arrest the petitioner. The petitioner was arrested for a non-bailable offence. The petitioner also approached the District and Sessions court. The Hon’ble Court rejected his bail application.
Arguments of the Petitioner
The learned counsel for the Petitioner argues that the petitioner is a lineman working in BESCOM, Tumkur. The petitioner’s cousin was married to the deceased. There was a matrimonial dispute between the Petitioner’s cousin and the deceased.
The deceased contacted her husband and states that a vehicle will be parked near the lake and that she will not be available. Thereafter, the dead body of the deceased was seen floating in the lake. The petitioner is arrested by police only on suspicious grounds.
The deceased husband has not made any complaint before the police. No FIR was registered against the petitioner. The petitioner will suffer irreparable loss if he arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
Arguments of the Respondent
The learned counsel for the Respondent argues that the whereabouts of the petitioner is not known. However, the learned counsel of the responded agrees that there was no FIR registered against the petitioner.
The counsel stated that the petitioner is required for the purpose of the enquiry. But the petitioner is absconding since the date of offence.
Court’s Analysis
The case of death of the deceased was not revealed as per the submission of the Respondent’s counsel. No evidence represents the petitioner’s involvement in causing the death of the deceased. There is no evidence that specifies that the death is homicidal or suicidal.
The court cannot assume that the petitioner has committed any offence punishable under section 302 of IPC. Even if the petitioner is accused of abetment of suicide, he cannot be punishable with death or imprisonment of life.
Court’s Decision
The Court allowed the bail application. The Petitioner will be released on bail on his executing a personal bond. The petitioner must meet the following conditions:
- The petitioner shall be released on bail on executing a personal bond for Rs. 1,00,000/- with a surety for the like sum.
- The petitioner shall appear voluntarily before the Investigating Officer within 30 days from the date of receipt of order.
- The petitioner shall co-operate with the Investigating officer for the purpose of enquiry/ investigation.
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