In a poignant legal decision, the Kerala High Court has granted bail to a 91-year-old man, Thevan, accused of stabbing his 88-year-old wife, Kunjali, amid allegations of an illicit relationship.
The case surfaced following a heated argument on March 21, where Thevan allegedly wounded Kunjali with a knife after she accused him of infidelity. The incident led to his immediate arrest and subsequent judicial custody. The accusations and the subsequent violent act highlighted deep-seated tensions within their long-standing marriage.
During the bail hearing, Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan delivered a ruling that resonated with emotional and philosophical undertones, unusual for a legal judgment. “Let Thevan aged 91 live happily with Kunjali, his wife aged 88 in their old age. Let there be a happy life for them,” stated Justice Kunhikrishnan, emphasizing the importance of companionship and reconciliation in their twilight years.
The court’s order reflected a deep understanding of the couple’s lifelong bond despite the recent turmoil. “Thevan and Kunjali should know that age does not dim the light of love, it only makes it shine brighter,” the judgment read, acknowledging Kunjali’s vigilance over her husband as an expression of enduring love rather than mere suspicion.
Justice Kunhikrishnan also quoted verses from N.N. Kakkad’s Malayalam poem “Saphalamee Yathra,” which contemplates ageing, love, and companionship, further enriching the narrative of the court’s decision.
In granting bail, the court imposed standard conditions and urged the couple to recognize their mutual dependency, especially in old age. The ruling highlighted that a great marriage involves embracing each other’s imperfections and growing together, a sentiment that resonated far beyond the confines of the courtroom.
