IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE R.BASANT FRIDAY, THE 7TH DECEMBER 2007 / 16TH AGRAHAYANA 1929 Bail Appl..No. 7565 of 2007() ----------------------------- CRIME NO.163/07 OF VETTILAPARA POLICE STATION .................... PETITIONER : ----------------- SAJITH, S/O.BABU, PUNOLIPARAMBU HOUSE, CHERUVATTOOR, NELLIKUZHI VILLAGE, KOTHAMANGALAM. BY ADV. SRI.T.J.LAKSHMANAN IYER RESPONDENTS: ------------- STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY STATION HOUSE OFFICER, VETTILAPARA POLICE STATION. BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SRI.JAI GEORGE THIS BAIL APPLICATION HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 07/12/2007, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY PASSED THE FOLLOWING: R.BASANT, J ------------------------------------ B.A.No.7565 of 2007 ------------------------------------- Dated this the 7th day of December, 2007 ORDER Application for regular bail. The petitioner is arrayed as the 4th accused in a crime registered, inter alia, under Section 397 I.P.C. The alleged incident took place on 06.10.07. The defacto complainant, a taxi driver, was engaged to go for a trip by the 4 accused persons. As the vehicle was proceeding, an attempt was made to murder the defacto complainant by strangulation. Fortunately he escaped. When he kicked at one of the miscreants suddenly, the door opened. He fell down. He suffered injuries in the attack. The miscreants went away with the vehicle. Accused persons are named in the F.I.R on the basis of the information gathered by the defacto complainant in the course of the journey. 2 of the accused were arrested on the day immediately following the date of the incident. The petitioner was arrested later on 1.11.07 when he surrendered before the Investigating Officer. Investigation is in progress. The petitioner continues in custody from 1.11.07. B.A.No.7565 of 2007 2 2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is absolutely innocent. He had no contumacious role. He had no contact with the other alleged accused. In any view of the matter, the petitioner, who has been in custody from 1.11.07, may now be enlarged on bail, prays the learned counsel for the petitioner. 3. The learned Public Prosecutor opposes the application and I find merit in the opposition by the learned Public Prosecutor. The allegations reveal a very serious crime. The 1st accused has not been arrested yet. I am satisfied that the investigator in a case like this deserves to be granted reasonable further time to complete the investigation. 4. This application for regular bail is, in these circumstances, dismissed, but with the observation that the petitioner shall be at liberty to move this Court for bail again at a later stage of the investigation - not, at any rate, prior to 21.12.2007. The investigators shall in the meantime make every endeavour to complete the investigation. (R.BASANT, JUDGE) rtr/- B.A.No.7565 of 2007 3