Kerala High Court refuses relief to DYFI leaders accused of assaulting police during liquor policy protest

The Kerala High Court on July 27 denied anticipatory bail to six leaders of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) accused of assaulting police personnel, damaging public property and obstructing public servants, during a protest against the Kerala government's liquor policy. [Shresha N & ors v State of Kerala].Justice Kauser Edappagath observed that custodial interrogation was necessary in this case as the investigation was at an early stage and the materials collected during the investigation prima facie supported the prosecution's allegation that the accused had committed a premeditated offence."Perusal of the case diary reveals that the accusation made against the applicants is very serious in nature, and it prima facie shows a premeditated criminal act on their part. Specific overt act has been attributed against the\ applicants," the Court added.It further noted that the police officers allegedly assaulted during the protest had sustained injuries and that releasing the accused could enable the accused to influence the witness and interfere with the investigationThus, the Court dismissed the anticipatory bail pleas filed by accused Shresha N, Nikhil Babu, Amal CS , Renjith AR, Bhagyalakshmi NS and Bibin Varghese..The case arose out of a protest organised by the DYFI against the Kerala Government's liquor policy on June 24, 2026.According to the prosecution, the accused along with nearly hundred DYFI activists formed an unlawful assembly and marched from Penta Menaka to Kanayannur Taluk office raising slogans against the government's policy.When the police barricaded the procession near Maharaja's College on Park Avenue Road, the protesters ignored police warnings, overturned barricades and attempted to force their way towards the Taluk office.The prosecution alleged that the accused assaulted the Inspector of Ernakulam Town Police Station and the Sub-Inspector of Kadavanthra Police Station, causing injuries to both officers while damaging police lathis, shields and obstructing police personnel in the discharge of their official duties.The accused where booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Kerala Public Ways (Restriction of Assemblies and Procession) Act, 2011 and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.Aggrieved, the accused approached the Court seeking anticipatory bail contending that there was no material connecting them to the alleged offences as they were innocent and had been fall implicated.The State opposed their plea and contended that if the accused are released at this stage, it will affect the investigation.The Court after considering the arguments held the allegations against the accused were serious in nature and no exceptional circumstance was made out for granting them anticipatory bail.The Court also noted that custodial interrogation of the accused is necessary for the investigation.Hence, it dismissed the pleas..Advocate KS Arun Kumar appeared for the accused DYFI leadersSenior pubic prosecutor Aneeda Beegum appeared for the state..[Read Order]