The Kerala High Court has granted pre-arrest bail to an advocate accused in a case arising from an alleged incident inside a court hall at Palakkad. Justice Dr. Kauser Edappagath passed the order on September 11, 2026, in Bail Application No. 5008 of 2026.
Background
The case relates to Crime No. 942/2026 registered at Town South Police Station, Palakkad. The applicant sought protection from arrest under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. The allegation was made under Section 75(1)(i) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
According to the prosecution case recorded in the order, the alleged incident occurred on August 5, 2026, at about 11:40 a.m. inside the court hall of the Additional District and Sessions Court-V, Palakkad. The applicant and the complainant were advocates practising at the Palakkad Court Centre. The allegation concerned an act said to have been committed against the complainant with sexual intent.
After hearing both sides and examining the case diary, the Court noted that the applicant and the complainant were lawyers. It also took note of another crime registered against the complainant and others at the applicant's instance.
The Court observed:
"Considering the allegations made against the applicant, his custodial interrogation seems unnecessary. For these reasons, I find this to be an appropriate case to grant pre-arrest bail to the applicant."
The High Court allowed the bail application and directed that the applicant be released on bail in the event of arrest upon executing a bond of Rs.1 lakh with two solvent sureties for the same amount.
The Court directed the applicant to cooperate with the investigation, appear before the investigating officer every Saturday between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m., and appear whenever required.
The applicant was also restrained from contacting prosecution witnesses, tampering with evidence, committing a similar offence, or leaving Kerala without permission of the trial court.
Case Details:
Case Title: X vs. State of Kerala
Case Number: Bail Application No. 5008 of 2026
Judge: Justice Dr. Kauser Edappagath
Decision Date: September 11, 2026
