Cheating case: Kerala HC to consider actor Soubin Shahir’s plea for relaxation in bail conditions tomorrow

Kochi: High court has posted for orders on Sept 11 the petition filed by actor Soubin Shahir and Shawn Anthony, producers of the movie ‘Manjummel Boys', challenging the magistrate court's refusal to relax their bail conditions to permit them to travel to Dubai for a film award function. The bench of Justice V G Arun on Tuesday reserved the matter for orders after hearing both the petitioners and the prosecution. Earlier, the court had sought a report from the prosecution on the petition filed by Soubin and Shawn, accused in a financial fraud case related to the movie's production, challenging the magistrate court's order rejecting their plea for permission to visit Dubai for 10 days. The petitioners had initially approached the judicial first-class magistrate court-VIII, Ernakulam, seeking relaxation of their bail conditions. The magistrate court rejected the plea, citing the prosecution's submission that a key witness in the case was abroad and that the petitioners might attempt to influence him if permitted to travel. Challenging the impugned order, the petitioners countered the prosecution's argument that their plea had become infructuous since the function was scheduled on Sept 6 and 8. They contended that they sought relaxation of bail conditions not only to attend the award function but also to visit family members abroad. They further opposed the prosecution's contention that they were uncooperative with the investigation, asserting that after appearing before the investigating officer on July 8, no further notice or summons had been issued to them in connection with the case.