The court advised Prakash Babu to furnish a bond of Rs 2 lakh. Kozhikode NDA candidate Babu was taken into custody on March 28 in connection with the violence in Sabarimala
Kozhikode: The Kerala high court has granted bail to Kozhikode Lok Sabha NDA candidate Prakash Babu. He was taken into custody on March 28 in connection with the violence in Sabarimala. The case was related to the alleged attack on women devotees in Sabarimala temple in November last year.
Babu was accused of attacking the women, who had come to offer prayers at the Sabarimala shrine in November amid protests against implementing the September 28 apex court verdict. Women of all ages should be allowed into Kerala's renowned Sabarimala temple, the Supreme Court had ordered, ending the age-old ban.
A case had been registered against him in this regard at the local police station. Earlier the court refused to grant him bail and the leader was shifted to the Kottarakkara sub-jail.
On Thursday, the Kerala high court granted bail under the strict condition including, presenting him before the investigation officer in every second Saturday and Sunday of the month.
The court granted the bail when Babu submitted a bond worth Rs 2 lakh in the court and two surety bonds. The court has restricted Babu from entering Pathanamthitta district for three months.
Kerala had witnessed widespread protests from frenzied devotees and the right-wing groups over the CPI(M)-led LDF government's decision to implement the apex court verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the Ayyappa temple.
Traditionally, women of menstruating age or in the age group of 10 to 50 years are not allowed to enter the temple as the deity, Lord Ayyappa, is believed to be in the form of ‘Naishtika Brahmachari’ (perennial celibate).
The Lok Sabha elections to 20 seats in Kerala will be held in a single phase on April 23. The counting of votes is on May 23.
Read Exclusive COVID-19 Coronavirus News updates, at MyNation.