Kochi: After three months in judicial custody, the Kerala High Court has granted bail to a doctor involved in the shooting incident of a National Rural Health Mission employee at her residence in Vanchiyoor, Thiruvananthapuram. The bail is contingent upon the doctor submitting a bond of Rs 1 lakh, along with two sureties for the same amount.
Noting that the accused had been in judicial custody for 84 days, a single bench Justice C S Dias said, "The investigation was practically complete, the recovery had been effected, and she had no prior criminal record. Considering these factors, the court deems further detention is unnecessary."
According to the prosecution, the accused had been involved in a relationship with Sujith, the victim's husband. Both the doctor and Sujith had previously worked together at a private hospital in Kollam. The affair eventually ended, but the prosecution alleged that this led to the doctor feeling depressed and the need for revenge.
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As a result, the accused attacked the victim on July 28 while posing as a courier delivery person entered her residence and fired multiple shots at Shini using an air pistol which caused her serious injuries, as per TOI news report.
Following the attack, the doctor was arrested on July 30 and served in judicial custody for the past three months maintaining the innocence that her counsel argued that there was no substantial evidence to prove her involvement in the crime. She also contended that she had been in custody since July 30 and that further detention was unnecessary.
However, the prosecution opposed the bail, stating that the investigation was ongoing and that her release could lead to tampering with evidence.
Taking note of the concern of the prosecution, the court observed "She shall not leave the territorial jurisdiction of the court of session, Thiruvananthapuram, without permission and that she must not enter the police station limits of the injured party, except to report to the investigating officer."
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