Tantri case: Court declines Sobha John's bail

A local court on Tuesday refused bail to Sobha John, the first accused in the 'Sabarimala Tantri Attack Case'.

A local court on Tuesday refused bail to Sobha John, the first accused in the 'Sabarimala Tantri Attack Case'.

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Ernakulam First Class Judicial Magistrate Saratchadran said considering the seriousness of the crime, gravity of offence and the stage of investigation, Sobha John was not entitled to bail.

Meanwhile, the Principal Sessions Court granted bail to Biji Peter, the eleventh accused in the case, against whom the offence of harbouring the accused was charged by the police.

The court allowed his bail plea directing him to execute a bond for Rs 25,000 with two solvent sureties for the like sum.

However, the court was not inclined to grant bail to the second and third accused, Vigil and Anil Kumar, against whom involvement in the criminal conspiracy to attack the Tantri was alleged. The court said that since the co-accused were absconding, they could not be released on bail.

Meanwhile, the anticipatory bail plea filed by Bechu Rahman, an absconding accused in the case, was adjourned to September 12 for hearing by the High Court on Tuesday.