KOCHI: The High Court expressed concern about drugs and marijuana extending their tentacles to children in Kerala. The court said the present reality cannot be given a blind eye. Justice V.G. Arun's observation came while rejecting the bail of Muhammed Shibil, a native of Chittathupara, Malappuram, a drug case accused who repeated the crime during the bail period.

“In 2024, 24,517 arrests were made in drug cases in Kerala. The social issues had to be discussed by adjourning the assembly. One should not enjoy freedom at the expense of ruining the ideals followed by the society,” said the court.

The court, while dismissing the defendant's plea, said that allowing the defendant to roam free after violating bail conditions would pose a threat to society. The court also found that the exemptions granted were misused.

The petitioner was arrested by the Pandikkad police in 2022 with 7.22 grams of MDMA. The High Court granted bail in the case in 2023. The accused, released on bail, was arrested again for a similar crime in Perinthalmanna.