illustration by Satheesh Vellinezhi
A native of Kasaragod in Kerala booked for allegedly possessing narcotic drugs may be saved from a trail court’s bail condition of standing in a public place with a placard carrying the message to avoid drugs and alcohol.
The District and Sessions Judge, Kasaragod, had asked the accused on January 9, 2025 to appear before the Investigating Officer in the case on January 14 at 10 a.m. and to “hold a placard/poster in his hand at a place as suggested by the officer within his jurisdiction with a banner.” The banner should carry a message in Malayalam calling to avoid the use of drugs and alcohol. It should also contain the inscription that “one would lose himself, his friends and family by using drugs,” the court directed.
Compliance report sought
The accused was asked to stand at a public place between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for five continuous days. The court, which sought a compliance report from the police, cautioned the accused that bail would be cancelled if the bail condition was violated.
However, the unusual bail condition imposed by the trial court on January 9 did not apparently go well with the Kerala High Court. The High Court judge in charge of Kasaragod district is understood to have asked the Sessions Judge to revisit the contentious bail condition, judicial sources indicated.
The trial court imposed the bail condition, which according to its order, was part of the reformative efforts and to spread the message of the adverse effects of drug abuse.
The accused was also asked to execute a bond for ₹1 lakh, with two solvent sureties for the like sum. One of the sureties shall be a close relative of the accused, the court directed.
The allegation against the accused was that 3.06 grams of MDMA meant for sale was found in his possession. The counsel for the accused, who pleaded the innocence of his client, pointed out that he was in judicial custody for eight months.
The trial court had observed that drug abuse affects individuals, their families, friends, and various business and government resources. Children of drug abusers are often abused/neglected. It also led to the commission of heinous crimes and destroyed the peaceful living of law-abiding citizens, the bail order read.
Published – January 17, 2025 02:55 pm IST
