The Kerala High Court has granted bail to Liviya Jose, a 21-year-old from Kalady, who faced serious allegations of conspiring to falsely implicate Chalakudy resident Sheela Sunny in a narcotics case. The case, initiated by the Excise Range Office in Chalakudy, revolves around accusations that Jose and another individual conspired to embed counterfeit LSD-like stamps on Ms. Sunny’s scooter. This alleged act led to Ms. Sunny being wrongfully accused, resulting in a lengthy 72-day custody following the detection of these stamps by Excise officials.
In a significant development, the court found that subsequent chemical analysis revealed the stamps were not associated with any prohibited narcotic substance. Jose, who had been in custody since her arrest in June, argued through her counsel that the reasons for her arrest were never communicated to her or her family at the time of the incident. The public prosecutor contested this claim, asserting that the necessary grounds had indeed been relayed to her during her arrest.
While the allegations against her are severe, the High Court underscored the inconsistencies in the investigation process. A bench led by Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas highlighted that Jose had already spent over two months in custody. Notably, the first accused in the case had previously been released on bail after the court established that proper legal procedures regarding the communication of arrest grounds were not strictly followed.
In a pointed critique, the court admonished the Excise officials for arresting Ms. Sunny and categorizing her as an accused without performing an independent evaluation of the seized materials. This lack of thorough appraisal has raised questions regarding the integrity of the investigative procedures employed by the Excise department.
As the legal proceedings continue, this case sheds light on the complexities of drug-related accusations in Kerala and the critical importance of adhering to procedural justice. The High Court’s decision to grant bail to Jose reflects a careful consideration of both the individual’s rights and the substantive aspects of the case, drawing attention to the broader implications for justice within the legal system.
Published – August 26, 2025 01:21 am IST
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/fake-drug-case-hc-grants-bail-to-second-accused/article69976261.ece
Category : Kerala
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Publish Date: 2025-08-26 01:21:00
