Kerala High Court Denies Bail to Five Juveniles in Class 10 Student Murder Case
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Synopsis
The Kerala High Court has rejected bail for five juveniles implicated in the murder of a 15-year-old Class 10 student in Kozhikode, who died following an assault by his peers. The court highlighted the need to balance juvenile welfare with justice for victims.
Key Takeaways
- Kerala High Court denied bail to five juveniles.
- Juveniles charged with murder and related offenses.
- Victim was a 15-year-old Class 10 student.
- Incident escalated from a farewell event dispute.
- Shahabas suffered fatal injuries from the attack.
Kochi, April 25 (NationPress) The Kerala High Court has denied bail to five juveniles detained in connection with the murder of a 15-year-old Class 10 student, who was allegedly assaulted by his peers in Kozhikode, resulting in his demise.
The accused face charges of murder, wrongful restraint, unlawful assembly, and voluntarily inflicting severe injuries.
All five individuals are students and have been held in judicial custody for the last 56 days.
The court emphasized that the victim was a 15-year-old and concluded that, given the circumstances, it was not inclined to grant bail to the petitioners.
"Additionally, in this case, a minor aged 15 years was murdered. It is essential to recognize that the Juvenile Justice Act aims not only to safeguard children in conflict with the law but also to cater to the needs and welfare of all juveniles. The objective must be balanced with ensuring justice for victims and the wider societal interest," the court stated.
Shahabas, a student at MJ Higher Secondary School in Thamarassery, Kozhikode, died from severe injuries on March 1 after being harmed during a confrontation between students from his school and Thamarassery GVHSS, stemming from a dispute during a farewell event at a tuition center in the last week of February.
Despite teachers attempting to mediate through a series of WhatsApp messages, tensions escalated, culminating in a violent clash near the tuition center. Shahabas sustained serious head injuries, which ultimately led to his death.
Authorities have charged the five with murder, indicating that the assailants utilized weapons, including a truncheon and a nunchaku, during the attack on Shahabas.
Although Shahabas was not enrolled at the tuition center, he was invited to the location while running an errand.
After the assault, a friend took him home. Initially unaware of the incident, his family suspected drug use upon finding him in a weakened state at home.
Upon discovering the reality, he was quickly taken to Thamarassery Taluk Hospital and subsequently transferred to Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
