No bail for six students, accused in Shahbaz murder case

KOZHIKODE: All six students, accused in the murder of tenth class student Shahbaz in Thamarassery, have been denied bail. The Kozhikode District Principal Sessions Court rejected their bail pleas. They approached the district court after the juvenile board rejected their bail pleas. The hearing on their bail pleas was completed last Thursday, but the verdict was postponed to today.

The prosecution and Shahbaz's family had requested that the accused should not be granted bail and that the issue of being a minor not be considered in the case. The boy's family met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan a few days ago, demanding that the role of adults be investigated in the murder of their son. Shahbaz's family had responded at that time that they have hope after meeting the chief minister.

Shahbaz was a student of M J Higher Secondary School in Vattoli Elate. Shahbaz was beaten up by a group of students from Thamarassery School on the evening of February 27 following a clash at the tuition centre. The boy was first taken to Thamarassery Taluk Hospital following vomiting and other health issues at night but was later shifted to the medical college, but his life could not be saved. The accused students have been charged with murder.

The police have found that his murder was a well-orchestrated incident. Police said that after the clash at the tuition centre, the accused students formed groups on social media and planned revenge. Shahbaz was injured in an attack with a nunchuck used in karate. The police had also examined whether he had received help from adults to get the nunchuck.