Kerala Police file kidnapping case against Muslim youngster after bike ride with girl
Sessions Court grants bail
Kasaragod: In a case that highlights concerns over moral policing and communal bias, a Kasaragod sessions court granted anticipatory bail to 23-year-old Sayyid Hiban Muhammed, a theatre technician from Lakshadweep, accused of kidnapping a 17-year-old girl. The court found no evidence of criminal intent and questioned the police's suo motu action in filing the case.
The alleged incident occurred on the night of September 13, during an Onam celebration at a private hospital where Muhammed worked. At the request of the girl, identified as Nandana P R*, Muhammed took her on a two-hour motorcycle ride. Both returned without incident. Nandana’s mother, Sreelakshmi R*, later stated she had no complaint against Muhammed and clarified that the outing was consensual.
Despite this, the Vanitha Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under s.137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, alleging that Muhammed intended to abuse the girl. According to the girl's mother, local BJP leaders and police officials pressured her to implicate Muhammed, but she refused to change her stance.
The hospital management had initially requested a discreet inquiry, noting communal tensions within the staff but made no allegations of sexual misconduct. However, the police proceeded with the case, citing a potential POCSO violation, despite the girl's confidential statement to a magistrate confirming her consent and a medical examination ruling out abuse.
During the bail hearing, the public prosecutor argued that granting bail could stoke communal tensions. Sessions Judge Sanu S Panicker rejected the argument, observing that taking someone out without intent to commit an offence does not constitute a crime.
Advocate Shajjid Kammadam, representing Muhammed, criticised the case as being driven by prejudice rather than evidence. He confirmed that Muhammed plans to approach the Kerala High Court to quash the FIR.
"I hope today's order ensures that Muhammed and my family are left in peace," Sreelakshmi said, expressing relief over the court’s decision.
(*Names changed to protect identities.)
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Family of injured driver in murder of Suvendu's aide seeks exemplary punishment
Kolkata (PTI): The family of Buddhabeb Bera, the driver injured in the shooting that killed BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's close aide Chandranath Rath, demanded exemplary punishment for those responsible and urged the new government to ensure such incidents do not happen in West Bengal.
Rath was shot dead in Madhyamgram near Kolkata on Wednesday night, triggering a political storm in the state. Bera, who was driving the vehicle at the time of the attack, sustained gunshot wounds and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital.
Family members said they learned about the incident through television and immediately left for Kolkata.
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"We came to know from TV reports that my nephew had been shot. We still do not know who carried out the attack or why it happened," Buddhabeb's uncle Biswajit Bera said.
"Our only wish now is that he recovers and returns home safely," he added.
Buddhabeb, 25, hails from Majnaberia village in the Chandipur police station area in Purba Medinipur district.
According to family members, he mostly stays in Kolkata for work and visits home occasionally during weekends.
Besides his parents, his younger brother, sister-in-law and several relatives have also travelled to Kolkata following the incident.
Demanding strict action against the perpetrators, the uncle said, "We want the government to conduct a proper investigation and identify those directly involved in the crime. They should be given exemplary punishment so that such incidents do not happen again in West Bengal and no other family has to go through this grief."
A neighbour, Ranjana Ghorai, also sought stringent punishment for those behind the attack.
"In our neighbourhood, we call him Sona. We want exemplary punishment for the people responsible for this incident," she said.
Rath's family members have demanded life imprisonment for the accused, while Adhikari has called for capital punishment for those involved in the killing.
