The Kasaragod Sessions Court declined head teacher Sherly Joseph’s anticipatory bail plea on Monday, related to the alleged forcible hair-cutting incident involving a 10-year-old Dalit student at Mar Gregorios Memorial UP School, Kottamala.
Chittarikkal police charged Joseph with unlawful restraint, cruelty to a child, and derogatory tonsuring under relevant sections of the IPC, Juvenile Justice Act, and the Prevention of Atrocities Act. Public prosecutor K Dinesh Kumar highlighted Section 15A (5) of the Atrocities Act, emphasizing the victim’s right to be heard.
The court, deferring the bail hearing to November 7, allowed the boy’s representation through his mother. The District Legal Service Authority was tasked with appointing a lawyer for the boy, whose counsel, along with the prosecutor, opposed Joseph’s bail plea.
According to Chittarikkal police, the incident occurred publicly after the school assembly on October 19, leading the fifth-grade student to boycott school. Upon learning of the incident, parents reported it to a community forum, facilitating the filing of a police complaint.
The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights initiated a suo motu case following media coverage. The case is under investigation by the Special Mobile Squad, a dedicated Kerala police unit for atrocities against Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Legal experts suggest Joseph may pursue anticipatory bail in the high court.
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