Kerala High Court denies bail to DYFI leaders over liquor policy protest

On July 27, the Kerala High Court rejected anticipatory and pre‑arrest bail applications filed by six Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leaders. The activists are charged with assaulting police officers, damaging police equipment and obstructing officials during a protest on June 24 against the Kerala government’s liquor policy. The court noted that the accusations are serious, that custodial interrogation is required at the early investigative stage, and that releasing the accused could jeopardise witness testimony.

The protest involved a march of about 100 DYFI members from Pentamenaka to the Kanayannur Taluk Office. Police had set up barricades near Maharaja’s College; protesters allegedly ignored warnings, overturned the barriers and forced their way forward, assaulting an Inspector and a Sub‑Inspector and damaging lathis and shields. The accused have been charged under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Kerala Public Ways (Restriction of Assemblies and Procession) Act, 2011, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.