Supreme Court grants bail to two convicts

The Supreme Court granted bail to Vinod Kumar and Manikantan, who were serving their sentences following their convictions in the Kalluvathukkal Hooch Tragedy case which killed more than 30 people in 2000.

In 2011, the Court rejected the appeals lodged by the convicts in this case. Two months ago, their wives approached Apex court to request their untimely release in July this year.

The court sent a notice to the state on July 9. The state later argued in court that a State Advisory Committee was formed and recommended their early release. The court, on September 6, ordered the government to take a rapid decision in the matter.

When the matter was brought up today, the state asked for more time. The tribunal noted that no satisfactory explanation was given as to why the state government was unable to make a final decision on the proposal within two weeks from 06.09.2021. .

“As a result, we have no choice but to order the release of the petitioners’ husband. [Vinod Kumar (Prisoner No. C 2509) and Manikantan (Prisoner No. C 703)] on bail, for the duration of the summons request. They must be released on bail under the conditions that may be imposed by the court of first instance and no later than 48 hours after the signing of this order.“, the bench of Judges AM Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and CT Ravikumar ordered when registering the petition after six weeks.

The case against the defendants was that they mixed methyl alcohol which is a poisonous substance with ethyl alcohol and then with grog and other essences resulting in a drink called Kalapani. This was sold in their outlets because of which people died due to the consumption of fake alcohol.

Click here to read / download the order