Kerala HC dismisses bail application of Bineesh

Kochi, Dec 14 (UNI) The Kerala high court today dismissed the bail application of Bineesh, one of the main accused in the sensational Kanichukulangara murder case.

Bineesh was arrested on September 30, 2005, and is in judicial custody. Three people were killed in the incident, which was staged to look like a highway accident on July 20, 2005.

Business rivalry was said to be the motive for the crime.

The counsel for the petitioner contended that there were no circumstances from which it could ne inferred that the petitioner will flee from justice or that he will influence or intimidate the prosecution witnesses. The petitioner had been in custody for more than 438 days and since the prosecution had started further investigation, there was no immediate prospect of the case being taken for up for trial in the near future, the counsel argued. he also submitted that one of the accused was already granted bail by the court.

Additional Director General of Prosecution Mohanan opposed the bail application.

The court did not agree with the petitioner's submission and observed that Bineesh and his brother Sajith were the main beneficiaries of their former employee Ramesh's killing. The fact that the petitioner was absconding after the occurance of the incident and could be apprehended two months after the incident could not be brushed aside, the court opined.

The court also observed "his position in life and his plutocratic clout also cannot be lost sight of to infer that he may go to any extent to buy an acquittal".

UNI XR ARC AD/DK1759