6 days ago
Take steps to help accused students in Shahbaz murder case get Class XI admission, directs Kerala HC
Kochi: HC on Wednesday directed the superintendent of the Observation Home at Kozhikode to take necessary steps to facilitate the admission of the five accused students in the Shahbaz murder case, to Class XI.
Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas also instructed the station house officer of Thamarassery police station to provide adequate protection to the accused if their physical presence is required at the schools.
The order came while considering petitions filed by the accused as part of their bail applications, seeking permission to complete the admission process for Class XI. The petitioners submitted that they had secured admission in three different schools, and that June 5 is the last date for enrollment.
Observing that the petitioners' right to education should not be curtailed, particularly since their bail applications had already been heard and judgment reserved, the court directed the superintendent to take appropriate steps to facilitate their appearance for the admission process. The petitioners shall be granted liberty from 10am to 5pm on Thursday under the personal bond of both their parents, if required, the court added.
According to prosecution, the accused allegedly assaulted Mohammed Shahbaz, a Class X student of M J Higher Secondary School, Kozhikode, using a deadly weapon following a minor altercation during a farewell function at a tuition centre on Feb 28. Shahbaz was allegedly attacked with a 'nunchuck' and subjected to repeated punches and kicks, resulting in a severe skull fracture. The 15-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries the next day at the Govt Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode.
The accused were later arrested. Meanwhile, the accused students passed the SSLC examination, qualifying them for higher secondary education, prompting the present applications.
