In Brief
On 2 June 2014, deceased Shaikh Mohsin, a man perceived to be Muslim, was assaulted by multiple accused with hockey sticks, bats, and stones—apparently motivated by communal hatred following a Hindu Rashtra Sena meeting—resulting in his death. The Sessions Court rejected bail applications, but the Bombay High Court granted bail, citing that the accused had 'no personal enmity' against the deceased and considering the victim's religion as a mitigating factor. The Supreme Court set aside the High Court's order, holding that a court conscious of India's plural character cannot make observations treating a victim's religion as a justification or mitigation for murder. The matter was remitted for fresh bail consideration applying proper legal principles.
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