Jose Thomas vs. State Of Kerala

Held

The High Court noted the petitioner's four-month compliance with bail conditions and that the investigation was practically complete. Finding that the territorial restriction caused severe hardship and was no longer necessary, the Court set aside the lower court's order and lifted condition No.(v) from the original bail order.

Facts

The petitioner, granted bail with a condition restricting him from leaving the territorial jurisdiction of the Court of Session, Thrissur without prior permission, sought modification of this condition. He argued that his financial consultancy business required him to travel to Ernakulam, but the Chief Judicial Magistrate dismissed his application for modification.

Key Issues

Whether a bail condition restricting the petitioner's movement outside a specific territorial jurisdiction should be modified or lifted, given his compliance with other conditions, the progress of the investigation, and his business requirements.