Walayar mob lynching case: Kerala HC cancels bail granted to eight accused

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (March 19, 2026) cancelled the bail granted to eight persons arraigned as accused in the December 2025 Walayar mob lynching case.

A special court set up under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act had granted bail to these persons, citing that their continued detention was not required for the probe. Following this, the State government filed an appeal before the High Court. The case pertains to the alleged mob lynching of Jharkhand native Ram Narayan Baghel.

Directive to surrender

While hearing the appeal on Thursday, a Bench of Justice A. Bahdarudeen cancelled their bail and directed them to surrender before the court concerned within three days, failing which the police would be able to arrest them. The High Court observed that the trial court granted them bail without informing or hearing the victim’s family, thus violating Section 15A(3) of the SC/ST Act. This was a serious lapse and the special judge thoughtlessly granted bail in such a grave case of mob lynching, an offence which could attract life term or death sentence.

Moreover, granting bail when the probe is still in its preliminary stage could adversely affect the progress of the probe, especially since a few of the accused persons had criminal antecedents, the court said.

It termed the granting of bail a serious lapse on the part of the Special Judge, adding that such an error should not have occurred. Quoting prosecution records, the court added that the mob lynching of the worker from Jharkhand was driven by discrimination based on the victim’s place of birth.

Those whose bail stands cancelled are Anu, Anandan, Rajesh, Shaji, Jaghadeeshkumar, Prasad, Murali and Vipin.