KOCHI: The high court on Thursday declined bail to an advocate who was arrested for allegedly participating in the violence that occurred at Nilackal last month as part of the protest against SC's verdict on women's entry to Sabarimala Justice Sunil Thomas declined to grant bail after considering a petition filed by advocate Govindh Madhusoodhanan of Tripunithura. It was contended that he was taken into custody even though there was absolutely no material to connect him with any of the untoward incidents happened at Nilackal.In the order, the court said, "Gravity of unjustifiable vandalism caused by the mob is evident from the extensive damages caused. It is seen that two police buses, one police car, four police vehicles, 12 KSRTC buses, three media vehicles and three cameras were damaged. Fourteen police personnel were injured. There was no report of any person among mob being injured. Total value of the public property damaged was around Rs16,78,500 and the private property which includes camera, private vehicles, and media vehicles was quantified at Rs15,50,000. Investigation is progressing. Twenty-five persons only have been arrested and are still in custody. Materials to prima facie connect the petitioner are available. There is possibility of repetition of the offence. Having regard to the above facts, I feel that it is not a fit case to grant bail to the petitioner herein at this stage. Accordingly, bail application is dismissed."Senior public prosecutor Suman Chakravarthy had argued for prosecution that the protest was organized against Supreme Court judgment and that police were enforcing the order. The petitioner was identified as one of the miscreants on the basis of definite materials such as photos and videos taken on the spot by the departmental photographer as well as with mobile tower location, the prosecutor had contended.

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