Ryan student murder: School founders Pintos face arrest as Bombay High Court rejects anticipatory bail plea

In a big setback for the founders of Ryan group of education, the Bombay High Court on Thursday turned down the anticipatory bail application filed by the owners in the Gurugram student murder case.

Justice Ajey Gadkari while rejecting the applications by Ryan founders — Augustine, Grace and Ryan Pinto — directed them to deposit their passports with the Mumbai Police Commissioner by 9 pm on Thursday. If the Pintos move for regular anticipatory bail before a Haryana court, their personal presence would be required.

Barun Thakur, father of the 7-year-old victim, who had opposed grant of relief, argued that the case would fall under the category of rarest of rare.

The suspects by not cooperating in the probe done by the Haryana police are adopting a spineless approach.

Further the suspects should have moved the Punjab and Haryana Court for seeking relief and Bombay High Court had no jurisdiction to hear their pleas.

Maharashtra government also opposed the plea stating that considering the seriousness of the crime.

Senior Advocate Niteen Pradhan appearing for suspects argued that it was only transit bail that was sought and court should allow relief till September 18, for the applicants to approach the appropriate court. However, the court rejected the pleas, with reasons to be recorded separately.

The suspects had in their plea stated that it was most unfortunate and the management cannot be held culpable, as sought by protesting parents. The death of the child has caused deep pain and grief not only to the parents and family of the child but also to trustees, management, staff and students of the school.

The petition sought to defend the school reputation by saying that such an incident has taken place for the first time in the past four decades since the institution was set up. Despite, taking all necessary steps for security and well being of students as required under law.

Pradhumam Thakur, a class II student, was found murdered in the toilet last week. A bus conductor of the school has been arrested for the alleged murder.

The police have also arrested two other persons attached to the school management under various charges of the Juvenile Justice Act.