KOZHIKODE: The verdict on the bail plea of the accused in the case of Shahbaz, a 10th grader who was brutally beaten to death by his classmates in Thamarassery, has been postponed. The verdict will be pronounced on April 11. The hearing on the bail plea of the accused was completed last Thursday, but the verdict was postponed to today. This has been postponed again. The District Sessions Court is reviewing the bail pleas of the six students currently held in a juvenile home.
The prosecution and Shahbaz’s family strongly objected to granting bail, arguing the case should not be treated as a minor offence. Shahbaz’s father demanded strict action and met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to push for an investigation into adult involvement in the crime. The family expressed hope after discussions with the Chief Minister.
Shahbaz, a 10th-grade student at Vattoli MJ Higher Secondary School at Elettil, was attacked by Thamarassery School students on February 27 after a clash at a tuition centre in the evening. He was first taken to Thamarassery Taluk Hospital and later to the Medical College after he started vomiting and had other health problems towards night, but he died. The students have been charged with murder.
Police confirmed the attack was preplanned, with social media groups used to coordinate their revenge plan. Shahbaz was beaten with a karate nunchaku, and investigators are probing whether adults helped supply the weapon.