Madras High Court Cancels Bail Granted To 12 Accused In Murder Case Of BSP Leader K Armstrong

The Madras High Court has cancelled the bail of 12 accused persons arrested in connection with the murder of BSP leader K Armstrong. Armstrong was brutally attacked and murdered on July 5, 2024. Justice K Rajasekar decided to cancel bail after taking note of the submission made by Additional Public Prosecutor R Muniapparaj, who informed the court that the case was still at the stage of framing of charges and that granting bail to the accused at this stage might result in tampering with witnesses and destruction of evidence. The court has also directed the accused persons to surrender before the Principal Sessions Court, Chennai on or before March 6. The orders were passed on pleas moved by Porkodi, the wife of the slain leader. Porkodi had argued that she had approached the court earlier seeking the transfer of investigation to the CBI, citing that there were lapses in the investigation. While so, the High Court allowed another plea by Armstrong's brother Keynos and ordered the investigation to be transferred to the CBI. The single judge had also quashed the chargesheet filed by the police, noting that there were lapses. When this order was challenged by the State, the Supreme Court stayed the quashing of the chargesheet and clarified that the direction transferring the investigation to the CBI would remain in operation. Porkodi stated that the chargesheet filed by the police was still under operation and that the trial court ought to have considered the role attributed to the two accused. it was argued that the order was passed without application of mind, and the same is cryptic, illegal, and liable to be set aside. Porkodi has stated that the Sessions Judge failed to take into account the order of the Supreme Court, and there was no change in circumstances to entertain the bail application. It has been submitted the order has been obtained without placing the necessary facts. She further argued that the bail order did not reflect the application of mind by the trial judge, as the criminal history of the accused, the nature of the crimes, the material evidence available, the involvement of the accused in the crime, and the recovery of the weapon from his possession have not been considered by the court. Case Title: Porkodi v. Siva and Others Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 95 Case No: Crl OP 28702 of 2025

Madras High Court Cancels Bail Granted To 12 Accused In Murder Case Of BSP Leader K Armstrong

Upasana Sajeev

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