Human sacrifice case: Kerala HC dismisses bail plea of Laila Bhagawal Singh

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday dismissed the bail plea of the woman accused in the sensational human sacrifice case in which two women were allegedly killed brutally.

Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas rejected the plea for bail moved by Laila Bhagawal Singh, one of the three accused in the case.

Cancelling the bail, Justice Kurian Thomas observed that the active involvement of the petitioner in the crime and in another crime prima facie reveal her involvement in the human sacrifice case. "...Having regard to the circumstances of the case and also taking note of the prima facie involvement of the petitioner in the crime, I am of the view that this is not a fit case where the petitioner can be released on bail," the court said.

The Court further observed that contention raised by the petitioners counsel that not a single item of recovery was effected based upon any statement given by the accused is incorrect, as evident from the records of the case. "Suffice to say, there are materials connecting the petitioner to the crime, atleast prima facie," the court observed.

The court observed that the nature and gravity of the accusation are gruesome and the investigation is still continuing. Also the final report has not yet been filed as on the date of hearing.

The Court observed that if the petitioner is released on bail, there is every chance that she may influence the witnesses. "If bail is granted, there is the stark reality of justice being thwarted. Thus the circumstances do not lean in favour of the grant of bail to the petitioner," the court added.

Besides Laila, the other two accused are Bhagawal Singh, her husband and also a massage therapist, along with Mohammed Shafi, a history-sheeter.

According to the police remand report, the victims were not only killed, their bodies were mutilated and chopped into pieces.

The chopped body parts of the deceased were exhumed from the premises of the couple's house at Elanthoor village in Pathanamthitta district on October 11, 2022.

The first woman went missing on September 26 and the probe led to Shafi.

On further interrogating him, police found that the trio had earlier murdered the second victim in a similar manner in June last year.

Both women -- Roslin and Padma -- sold lottery tickets to earn a living, police had said.

According to the remand report, Roslin was persuaded by prime accused Shafi after promising Rs 10 lakh to act in a porn film and brought to the crime site. The report also said it was Laila who murdered her.

Padma, who went missing in September, was offered Rs 15,000 for sex and lured to the couple's home by Shafi, according to the report.

While investigating Padma's disappearance, police found Shafi's involvement which led them to the couple. Only thereafter did the police come to know about the murder of Roslin in June by the trio.