State of Kerala Police vs Santhosh — 100717/2019

Case under Abkari Act Section 55(i). Disposed: Contested--AQUITTED on 01st April 2026.

SC - SESSIONS CASE

CNR: KLKM270002712019

Case disposed

Filing Number

100152/2019

Filing Date

19-06-2019

Registration No

100717/2019

Registration Date

19-06-2019

Court

Sub Court Karunagappally

Judge

1-Sub Judge

Decision Date

01st April 2026

Nature of Disposal

Contested--AQUITTED

FIR Details

FIR Number

818

Police Station

Chavara PS

Year

18

Acts & Sections

Abkari Act Section 55(i)

Petitioner(s)

State of Kerala Police

Adv. Baiju N.S.

Respondent(s)

Santhosh

Hearing History

Judge: 1-Sub Judge

01-04-2026

Disposed

28-03-2026

Call on

13-03-2026

FOR HEARING

06-03-2026

No sitting notified

25-02-2026

for evidence.

Final Orders / Judgements

01-04-2026
Judgement

Case Summary: State of Kerala Police v. Santhosh (S.C No. 717/2019) The court acquitted Santhosh of charges under Section 55(a) of the Abkari Act (illicit liquor sales) due to critical prosecutorial failures. Police had allegedly seized 30 IMFL bottles from the accused in July 2018, but the prosecution failed to produce either the seized contraband or certified inventory/photographs as required by law, and key investigating officers did not testify despite repeated opportunities. The two independent witnesses examined by the prosecution denied witnessing the alleged detection and seizure, rendering their evidence unhelpful. The court found the prosecution had not followed proper procedural safeguards established in *Vijayan v. State of Kerala* and applied the acquittal provision under Section 232 CrPC, finding insufficient cogent evidence to establish guilt. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.

casestatus.in Summary

Case Summary: State of Kerala Police v. Santhosh (S.C No. 717/2019) The court acquitted Santhosh of charges under Section 55(a) of the Abkari Act (illicit liquor sales) due to critical prosecutorial failures. Police had allegedly seized 30 IMFL bottles from the accused in July 2018, but the prosecution failed to produce either the seized contraband or certified inventory/photographs as required by law, and key investigating officers did not testify despite repeated opportunities. The two independent witnesses examined by the prosecution denied witnessing the alleged detection and seizure, rendering their evidence unhelpful. The court found the prosecution had not followed proper procedural safeguards established in *Vijayan v. State of Kerala* and applied the acquittal provision under Section 232 CrPC, finding insufficient cogent evidence to establish guilt. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.

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