Kerala HC refuses bail to five juveniles in Shahabas murder case

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Friday denied bail to five juveniles accused of murdering a 15-year-old Class 10 student in Kozhikode. The victim was allegedly attacked by his fellow students, leading to his tragic death.

The juveniles face charges including murder, wrongful restraint, unlawful assembly, and voluntarily causing grave injuries. They have been in judicial custody for 56 days.

Taking into account the victim's age and the severity of the crime, the court stated it was not inclined to grant bail to the petitioners.

"Moreover, in the present cases, a minor aged 15 years was murdered. It is noteworthy that the Juvenile Justice Act aims not only to take care of the children in conflict with the law but also to address the needs and welfare of all juveniles. The objective must be balanced with the need to ensure justice for victims and the broader societal interest," it said.

Shahabas, a student of MJ Higher Secondary School, Thamarassery, Kozhikode, succumbed to severe injuries on March 1 after being caught in a violent clash between students of his school and Thamarassery GVHSS. The clash stemmed from a dispute during a farewell event at a tuition centre in late February.

Despite teachers attempting to mediate through WhatsApp messages, tensions escalated, culminating in a violent confrontation near the tuition centre. Shahabas sustained critical head injuries during the clash, which ultimately led to his death.

Police have filed murder charges against five individuals, alleging that the accused used weapons, including a truncheon and a nunchaku, in the attack. Shahabas, who was not a student at the tuition centre, had been called to the venue while running an errand.

After the attack, a friend took Shahabas home. Later, he was rushed to Thamarassery Taluk Hospital and then transferred to Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

(inputs from IANS)