KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Monday granted bail to fourth accused Sub-Inspector G S Deepak in the custody murder case of the youth S Sreejith at Varapuzha. The court granted bail with stringent conditions to Deepak who was in judicial custody from April 24. The court granted bail accepting the contentions of the lawyer appearing for Deepak that Sreejith had not told the doctor who treated him that Deepak had physically assaulted him. He also pointed out that the deposition of Sreejith's wife did not mention anything against Deepak. The court accepted this contention also.
Deepak has to execute a bond of Rs 1 lakh on his behalf and for the same amount from two others. He should appear before the investigating officer every Monday from 10 am to 1 pm, should not destroy evidence and should not enter Ernakulam district for three months. Sreejith who was taken from home into police custody had died on April 9 at a hospital.
Deepak's lawyer contended that two policemen in mufti attacked Sreejith outside the house which was clear from what Sreejith told the doctor who treated him. He also said that Sreejith's wife did not tell the magistrate that Sreejith suffered assault inside the police lockup. The remand report of the first three accused RTF personnel reveal that Sreejith was assaulted at his house and in the surroundings. Those who were lodged in lockup with Srejith had only said that the SI assaulted him.
The government argued in the court that the assault of Deepak on Sreejith was the prime reason for his death. It also contended that the investigation will be affected if bail is granted to Deepak. However, the court which perused the court diary felt that the investigation was over and hence was granting bail to him. The courttook into consideration the nature of the allegations and evidence and also the history of the accused and then set stringent bail conditions.
