Kerala High Court Grants Bail To Mother Booked In Balaramapuram Child Murder Case
The Kerala High Court on Monday (08 June) granted bail to Sreethu, the second accused in Balaramapuram Child Murder case, who is accused of conspiring with the first accused in the alleged murder of her minor daughter.
The court noted that the mother was booked as an accused to the crime, after the confession statement of accused no. 1 and apart from his confession statement there was no direct material linking her to the alleged offence
The offences alleged are punishable under Section 103(1) (Murder) read with Section 3(5) (common intention) BNS and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
Dr. Justice Kauser Edappagath, granted the bail upon execution of a bond of ₹1 lakh with two solvent sureties for the like amount.
The court observed that the entire overt act relating to the alleged murder was attributed to the first accused and that, apart from his confession, there were no direct materials connecting the applicant to the crime.
“The applicant was arrayed as an accused after 9 months, i.e., on 26.09.2025 based on the confession statement of the accused No.1. The entire overt act has been attributed against the accused No.1. The prosecution case is that the applicant facilitated and colluded with the accused No.1 to kill the victim.
Apart from the confession statement, there are no direct materials to connect the applicant with the crime. The applicant is a lady. She is in custody since 26.09.2025. Even though the murder was committed in a very brutal manner, considering all the facts and circumstances stated above, I am of the view that the further detention of the applicant is not necessary. Hence, the applicant is entitled to be released on bail,” the Court observed.
According to the prosecution, the first accused, who is the applicant's brother, had allegedly been pressuring her to enter into a sexual relationship. On January 30, 2025, after she allegedly rejected his request, the first accused abducted her minor daughter from their residence and threw her in a well which resulted in the death of the minor child.
The prosecution further alleged that the applicant remained silent despite witnessing part of the incident and had provided petrol used by the first accused to set fire to clothes in an attempt to divert attention from the child's cries.
The counsel for the applicant argued that she was innocent and had been falsely implicated. It was contended that no material evidence connected her to the alleged offences and that she was entitled to bail.
The Court noted that the case was initially registered only against Accused No. 1 on January 30, 2025, and that the applicant was added as an accused nearly nine months later, on September 26, 2025, based on the confession statement of the first accused.
The court thus directed the applicant's release on bail upon execution of a bond of ₹1 lakh with two solvent sureties for the like amount. The bail is subject to several conditions, including cooperation with the investigation, weekly appearance before the investigating officer, refraining from influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence, and not leaving Kerala without the trial court's permission.
Case Title: Sreethu v State of Kerala
Case No: Bail Appl. 2683/ 2026
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 316
Counsel for Petitioner: Amrith M.J, Sarath K.P, Sruthy K.K, Risvi Muhammed, Gokul Krishnan R
Counsel for Respondent: Thomas Sabu Vadakkekut (PP)