Kerala High Court refuses interim relief to IB officer Sukanth Suresh in girlfriend's suicide case

The Kerala High Court on Thursday refused to grant interim relief to Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Sukanth Suresh who moved the Court seeking anticipatory bail after allegations surfaced over his alleged role in the suicide of his former girlfriend Megha, also an IB officer [Sukanth Suresh v State of Kerala & ors].Justice PV Kunhikrishnan, who heard Suresh's anticipatory bail plea, refused to pass any interim order protecting him from arrest.The judge also questioned the accused's responsibility in the tragic incident. "If she was staying with you, then the first explanation must come from you. You escaped till now. You may continue hiding. No orders today. No direction not to arrest," the judge stated orally..If she was staying with you, then the first explanation must come from you. You escaped till now.Kerala High Court.During the hearing, the public prosecutor submitted that the case involved serious allegations including abetment to suicide, and the investigation was going on.The judge was initially inclined to pass an interim order in favour of SureshHowever, after hearing the public prosecutor, the Court was unconvinced by the accused's plea for relief and sought clarity on the reasons behind the woman's death.Addressing Suresh's counsel, Justice Kunhikrishnan asked, "Why are you worried if your client is not the accused? What is your (client's) opinion, why did she commit suicide?"In response, the defence counsel submitted that the deceased and Suresh were in a relationship and that Suresh's family had approached the woman's family with a marriage proposal."They were in a relationship and his family went to her family to talk about their marriage, but they immediately denied (the proposal). That os the reason( for the tragic incident)." the counsel told the Court.However, the Court rejected this reasoning, holding that the fact the woman was living with the accused raised more questions. "So you admit she was staying with your client. Then why did she commit suicide? It’s your client’s mistake. If she was with her parents, it would be different. But if she was living with your client, he is responsible," the Court remarked orally..A case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with abetment of suicide, is currently being investigated by the Pettah Police.This was after deceased's father alleged that his daughter was in a relationship with Suresh, who took her salary over several months and later refused to marry her.Suresh, presently serving at the IB office in Nedumbassery, had filed an anticipatory bail plea before the Court fearing arrest based on media reports and a complaint by the deceased woman's parents.According to him, the two were in a consensual live-in relationship and had decided to marry, with both families being aware.However, her family allegedly opposed the relationship, leading to emotional distress for the deceased, further stating that her parents cut off contact between the couple, causing her further anguish.In his plea, Suresh stated that he had no role in her death and was being targeted due to public pressure.He also expressed his willingness to cooperate with the investigation, while seeking protection against arrest under Section 108 of the BNS..The accused Suresh was represented by advocates CP Udayabhanu, Navaneeth N Nath, Rassal Janardhanan A, PR Ajay, Boban Palat, PU Pratheesh Kumar, KU Swapnil, Swetha Bijumon, Pranav Ushakar and RK Asha..Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.