IB officer moves Kerala High Court for anticipatory bail amid probe into colleague-girlfriend's suicide

A plea has been moved before the Kerala High Court by Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Sukanth Suresh seeking anticipatory bail after allegations surfaced over his alleged role in the suicide of his former girlfriend Megha, also an IB officer [Sukanth Suresh v State of Kerala & ors].A case has been registered under Section 194 (police to enquire and report on suicide, etc) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which is being investigated by the Pettah Police Station, where the police are yet to determine whether the death of Megha was accidental or a suicide.The deceased officer, who was posted at the Immigration Department of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, was found dead near Chakka railway tracks on March 24.The father of the deceased has alleged that his daughter was in a relationship with Suresh who used to exploit her financially. Megha transferred her entire salary received during the last few months to Suresh and he also withdrew from his commitment to marry her, the father recently told media..Suresh, who is currently serving at the IB office in Nedumbassery, has stated in his petition that he has not been named as an accused but apprehends arrest based on news reports and a complaint lodged by the deceased's parents.According to the plea, he and the deceased-officer were in a live-in relationship, shared a close emotional and mental bond and had mutually decided to marry.Their families were aware of their relationship and a formal discussion regarding marriage had taken place.However, opposition from the deceased's family allegedly created distress for her, leading to mental agony, he has claimed."They strongly opposed the relationship and strictly prohibited the deceased from maintaining any further contact with the petitioner. They even went to the extent of instructing her to block his mobile number, thereby severing all communication between them. Feeling distressed and deeply provoked by her parents' opposition, the deceased stood firm in her decision to be with the petitioner," the petition stated..As per the plea, Suresh had no role in her death and he fears that he may be falsely implicated due to public pressure and speculation.Suresh's bail plea further states that he is being unfairly targeted based on family suspicions and media reports and apprehends illegal arrest under Section 108 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to abetment of suicide.The petitioner has assured the Court of his willingness to cooperate with the investigation and abide by any conditions imposed if granted pre-arrest bail..The bail application was filed through advocates CP Udayabhanu, Navaneeth N Nath, Rassal Janardhanan A, PR Ajay, Boban Palat, PU Pratheesh Kumar, KU Swapnil, Swetha Bijumon, Pranav Ushakar and RK Asha.