In Brief
The State of Kerala appealed against the High Court's order granting bail to Mahesh, accused of murdering a lady doctor in September 2020. The victim was stabbed in her dental clinic in the presence of her father. The High Court granted bail despite grave charges under IPC sections 302, 307, 324, 341, 201, and 212, imposing only a condition that the accused not enter Ollur Police Station jurisdiction. The Supreme Court held that the High Court failed to apply its mind to relevant factors: gravity of the offence, prima facie evidence, severity of punishment, danger of absconding, and witness influence. The Court found the condition inadequate since most witnesses lived outside that jurisdiction. The Court also clarified that COVID-19 directions did not authorize release of all undertrial prisoners for serious crimes. The appeal was allowed and the bail order set aside.
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