Petitioner is the second accused in Crime No.500 of 2014 of the Palode Police Station for the offences punishable under Sections 294(b), 436 and 308 of the Indian Penal Code, is in custody from 13.05.2014 and seeks bail.
2. Learned Public Prosecutor has opposed the application. It is submitted that 11.05.2014 at about 07.00 p.m., on account of enmity to the de facto complainant (with whom the petitioner was living at the relevant time under some arrangement) as she refused to pay money to the petitioner for purchasing liquor, the petitioner set fire to the house where the de facto complainant was staying and when she raised alarm, the petitioner attempted to assault her with a chopper. It is alleged that the de facto complainant suffered damages to the tune of Rs.6 lakhs. Learned Public Prosecutor has also shown me photographs of the house which has (allegedly) gutted in fire.
3. Learned counsel submitted that the allegations are not true. According to the learned counsel, the de facto complainant came to the scene only after the house was B.A.No.3925 of 2014 2 destroyed in fire. It is further submitted that the petitioner and the neighbours were attempting to put off the fire.
4. I have gone through the First Information Statement given by the de facto complainant. The allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature. Having regard to the investigation required to be done, request for pre-arrest bail cannot be allowed.
Application is dismissed.
Sd/-
THOMAS P. JOSEPH, JUDGE.
AS /True Copy/ P.A. to Judge