HC grants conditional bail to youth accused of killing father

Observing that "morality is different from law", the Madras High Court has granted conditional bail to an 18-year-old boy who was arrested for murdering his father on June 23.
"For the limited purpose of deciding the bail petition, the circumstances under which the offence was committed becomes most relevant to arrive at a prima facie case. Further after committing the crime, the accused did not run away. He had surrendered before VAO. It is quite unlikely that he will elude," Justice P. Devadass said.
The petitioner was directed to appear before the Thiruverkadu Police on every Monday and Friday for two weeks and thereafter as and when required by police. He was directed to execute a bond for Rs.5000 with two sureties to the satisfaction of Judicial Magistrate, Poonamallee.

The youth murdered his father after the latter in an inebriated state verbally abused his 16-year-old daughter.
Referring to the incident as a pathetic case, the Judge said "sympathy is different and law is different. Morality is different from law. What is immoral may be legal. Sometimes, what is moral may be illegal. A father abusing his daughter in filthy language is immoral. But a son beating such a father may be moral, but, it is illegal. In case of criminality, morality pale into insignificance. There cannot be justification for committing a crime/ killing."
After assaulting his father with a stick, the youth had taken him to hospital but he died there. He surrendered to the Village Administrative Officer (VAO).

Stating that the youth was not "master of his mind" when he committed the offence, the Judge said "His mind was not under his control. He could not control his anger, passion. His mind had gone astray."
"Actually he did not wish to finish his father.Everything happened suddenly in a spur of moment," the judge said.