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SC rejects bail to Kerala businessman in murder case

Trivandrum - Senior lawyer Gopal Subramaniam, who appeared for the accused, made a strong plea for bail saying that the murder was not a premeditated act and it was an accident.

Supreme Court on Friday rejected the bail plea of controversial Kerala businessman Mohammed Nisham, accused in the murder of Chandrabose, security guard of Sobha City at Trichur in January this year.
Nisham, 38, owner of Kings Group of Companies, rammed his Hummer onto the security guard for the delay in opening the gate for him. The millionaire businessman was booked with murder charges after Chandrabose succumbed to his injuries on February 16.
Senior lawyer Gopal Subramaniam, who appeared for the accused, made a strong plea for bail saying that the murder was not a premeditated act and it was an accident. He pointed out that the SUV had hit the security guard after he lost control of his vehicle. Justice Deepak Mishra rejected the arguments saying that Nisham's track record showed that he did not value human lives. The incident is a glaring example of how the rich have become "totally egocentric and megalomaniacs".
Referring to the life of the security guard, who died after battling for life in a hospital for 18 days, the court said there was pride in poverty. "Poverty matters," the judge said in a scathing remark against the 'arrogant' and 'imprudent' accused.
Denying the bail, the apex court directed the trial court to complete the trial proceedings within three months. Appearing for the prosecution, senior advocate and former federal minister Kapil Sibal said the crime resembled that of "Goliath killing someone".
Nisham had approached the apex court after Trichur District Sessions Additional Court and the high court rejected his bail plea last month. The prosecution had opposed the bail plea saying that he would try to influence witness if he was released on bail.
He moved the bail petition after his six months detention under the Kerala Antisocial Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) expired on September 11. The police had slapped the KAAPA on him as he was found involved in more than 10 cases, including a murder attempt and sexual assault. Most of the cases were settled outside the court using his money power.
The serial offender caught the limelight after he allowed his 9-year-old son to drive his Ferrari inside his residential complex as a birthday gift. Police registered a case against him only after his Facebook post turned viral.
Owner of dozen-odd foreign luxury cars, including a Bentley and an Aston Martin, the accused had also trouble by locking woman sub-inspector inside his Rolls Royce car for more than two hours during a routine vehicle checking a Trichur. He was booked for drunken driving and obstructing the official duty of a government servant.
Nisham had allegedly tried to extricate himself from the security guard murder case by bribing the police officials, but the huge hue and cry in the state forced the police to act tough. - news@khaleejtimes.com