The Kerala High Court, on Wednesday, June 5, ordered the temporary release of five school students accused of murdering their 15-year-old classmate Mohammed Shahbaz during a school farewell event in Kozhikode district. The court allowed their release from juvenile custody between 10 am and 5 pm to facilitate their Class XI admission before the deadline expires on June 5.
The six accused, all minors at the time of the incident, had been held at a juvenile home in Vellimadukunnu since March. On February 29, during a farewell function at a government school in Thamarassery, the students allegedly assaulted Shahbaz using nunchucks, which is a martial arts weapon, causing a severe head injury. He died the next day, March 1, while receiving treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.
The Kerala High Court had earlier stepped in to ensure that the students’ right to education was upheld. On May 20, the High Court criticised the state for withholding the students’ Class X exam results and directed the state government to publish the class X examination results of the accused, stating that “the offence is not connected to the examination” and that “the entire concept of criminal jurisprudence is based on reformation, especially when the offender is a child.”
"Publishing the result is entirely different from the offence committed.If they have written the examination, the results have to be published. Does the state have the power to debar a person simply because he is involved in a crime? The entire concept of criminal jurisprudence is based on reformation, especially when the offender is a child in conflict with the law... The offence is not connected to the examination. So, how can the state govt refuse to publish the results," the court asked.
Reiterating the importance of the Right to Education, the High Court has now directed the superintendent of the Observation Home in Kozhikode to take all necessary steps to ensure the students can proceed with their school admissions. All six accused have passed their class X examinations and are eligible for higher secondary education.
Meanwhile, Thamarassery police have been instructed to provide necessary security during their release. Their bail applications are currently under the court’s consideration.
Kerala High Court, Shahbaz murder case, Class XI admission, juvenile justice, Right to Education, Kozhikode, student assault, Thamarassery, SSLC results, minors accused