The Kerala High Court on Thursday held that the State Government has obligation to provide security and protection to the life of a person from the criminal act of another person. The court made the observation while directing the government to pay a compensation of `2.5 lakh within two months to the parents of Balakrishna of Kanhangad, who was hacked to death by his in-laws in 2001, three months after his marriage with a Muslim girl.
Justice P Bhavadasan passed the order while considering a petition filed by the victim’s parents, M Gopalan and M Pankajakshi of Avikara, Kasargod, seeking `2 crore compensation from the state for the inaction on the part of its law enforcing agencies to prevent the murder of their son.
Balakrishana had married Rasina, daughter of Abu Backer Haji of Kasargod, in 2001. Rasina’s father, who is an accused in the case, and her relatives conspired to do away with Balakrishana and took the help of a hired goonda, the petition said.
Meanwhile, a sort of communal disharmony was prevailing in the area. Rasina’s uncle Abdulla frequently visited Balakrishna’s house and collected his photograph. Thereafter, the accused held two meetings to kill Balakrishna.
According to the petitioners, the intelligence wing of the police should have monitored the situation, considering the tension prevailing in the area.