HC dismisses leaders' plea on bail condition

KOCHI: The high court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by CPM leaders Karayi Rajan and Karayi Chandrasekharan, accused in Fasal murder case, seeking relaxation in bail conditions.
The petitioners had sought relaxation of a condition imposed by the court while granting them bail that they should not leave Ernakulam district without prior permission.
Opposing the plea, the CBI had submitted that the petitioners had high political influence in Thalassery region, where the murder took place, and allowing them to visit the place would result in influencing witnesses through coercion or threats.
Chandrasekharan had pointed out in the petition that his wife is a heart patient and his presence was required in Thalassery for treatment purposes. The trial is getting delayed and he is not able to visit his family despite getting bail, it was submitted.
However, the CBI submitted that a proper trial in the case would not be possible if the petitioners are allowed to visit Thalassery.
They are the area and local committee secretaries of a major political party and are accused of taking part in the murder conspiracy, the agency argued. "If the condition imposed by the court is lifted, as rightly pointed out by the standing counsel for CBI, there is every possibility of the trial to result in travesty of justice," Justice B Kemal Pasha held, while dismissing the petition.
The case relates to the murder of Mohammad Fasal, a former CPM activist who joined the NDF, on October 22, 2006 at Muzhuppilangad near Thalassery. Rajan is the eight accused in the case while Chandrasekharan is the seventh accused.