Supreme Court – Daily Orders
S. Jayasree vs State Of Kerala on 20 February, 2026
Author: Dipankar Datta
Bench: Dipankar Datta
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL APPEAL No.1038/2026
[arising out of SLP (Crl.) No.20625/2025]
S. JAYASREE APPELLANT
VERSUS
STATE OF KERALA & ANR. RESPONDENTS
ORDER
1. Leave granted.
2. By the impugned judgment and order dated 04th
December, 2025, the High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam has
dismissed the appellant’s prayer for bail in anticipation of
arrest.
3. Appellant figures as an accused in FIR No3700/2025
dated 11th October, 2025 registered with Police Station CB
PS, District CB. It is alleged in the FIR that the appellant has
committed offence(s) punishable under Sections 403, 406,
409, 466, 467 & 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Signature Not Verified
4. We have heard learned counsel appearing for the
Digitally signed by
rashmi dhyani pant
Date: 2026.02.21
13:02:59 IST
Reason: Crl. Appeal @ SLP (Crl.) No.20625/2025 1
appellant as well as the respondents.
5. It is not in dispute that the appellant has joined
investigation in terms of the earlier orders of this Court. Even
the specimen signature and handwriting samples, which
were pending, have since been obtained. That apart, the
appellant is a lady who is entitled to protection contemplated
by Section 480, Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
6. Taking an overall view of the matter, we are inclined to
accept the appeal and grant the prayer of the appellant for
release on pre-arrest bail.
7. Accordingly, the impugned judgment and order stands
set aside.
8. It is directed that in the event of the appellant being
arrested, she shall be released on bail on terms and
conditions to be imposed by the trial court.
9. Needless to observe, the appellant shall not, directly or
indirectly, by making inducement, threat or promise,
dissuade any person acquainted with the facts of the case
from disclosing such facts to any police officer or to the
court.
Crl. Appeal @ SLP (Crl.) No.20625/2025 2
10. Also, since the investigation is yet to conclude, we
direct that if the investigating officer calls upon the appellant
to join the investigation further, she shall do so by attending
the police station.
11. We clarify that the observations made in this order and
grant of bail to the appellant in anticipation of arrest will not
be treated as findings on the merits of the case.
12. The appeal is allowed on the above terms.
13. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.
………………..………………………J.
[DIPANKAR DATTA]
………………………………………..J.
[SATISH CHANDRA SHARMA]
New Delhi;
February 20, 2026.
Crl. Appeal @ SLP (Crl.) No.20625/2025 3
ITEM NO.1 COURT NO.6 SECTION II-D
S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.)
No.20625/2025
[Arising out of impugned final judgment and order
dated 04-12-2025 in BA No.13835/2025 passed by the
High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam]
S. JAYASREE Petitioner
VERSUS
STATE OF KERALA & ANR. Respondents
I.A. No.329650/2025-EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T.
I.A. No.329948/2025-PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL
DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ ANNEXURES
Date : 20-02-2026 This matter was called on for
hearing today.
CORAM :
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE DIPANKAR DATTA
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SATISH CHANDRA SHARMAFor Petitioner(s) :Mr. P. B. Suresh Kumar, Sr. Adv.
Mr. A. Karthik, AOR
Ms. Smrithi Suresh, Adv.
Mr. Sugam Agrawal, Adv.
Mr. Adarsh R, Adv.
Mr. Akhil Suresh, Adv.
For Respondent(s) :Mr. C. K. Sasi, AOR
Ms. Meena K Poulose, Adv.
Crl. Appeal @ SLP (Crl.) No.20625/2025 4
UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the
following
O R D E R
1. Leave granted.
2. The appeal is allowed in terms of the signed order.
3. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.
(RASHMI DHYANI PANT) (SUDHIR KUMAR SHARMA)
ASTT. REGISTRAR-cum-PS COURT MASTER (NSH)
(signed order is placed on the file)
Crl. Appeal @ SLP (Crl.) No.20625/2025 5
